To assist the thousands of devotees travelling for the annual Shravani Mela, Indian Railways has ramped up its operations across the East Central and Eastern Railway zones. With the pilgrimage season running from July 30 to early September 2026, authorities have introduced dedicated special services and adjusted existing schedules to ensure a smooth commute to the sacred Baba Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar and Sultanganj.
- New special trains introduced for August 9 and 10, 2026.
- Temporary two-minute stops for Danapur-Bhagalpur Intercity Express until August 28.
- Enhanced passenger amenities including medical support and increased security.
- Operational focus on key hubs like Bhagalpur, Deoghar, and Jamalpur.
Special Train Operations
For the peak travel period on August 9 and 10, 2026, the Bhagalpur–Deoghar Shravani Mela Special (Train No. 03412) is scheduled to depart Bhagalpur at 5:30 PM, arriving in Deoghar at 9:30 PM. The return service, Train No. 03411, will depart Deoghar at 10:20 PM and reach Bhagalpur at 2:10 AM the next day. These services will provide much-needed connectivity, halting at Tikani, Dhauni, Barahat, Murahara, Banka, Katoriya, and Chandan stations.
Additionally, the Danapur-Bhagalpur Intercity Express (13402/13401) has been granted temporary two-minute stoppages at Khusrupur and Hardas Bigha stations. This arrangement remains active from July 30 to August 28, 2026, specifically to aid pilgrims travelling from the Patna and Danapur regions.
Enhanced Station Facilities and Security
Beyond train services, railway authorities have prioritized passenger comfort at major stations. Passengers will find newly established temporary ticket counters, improved drinking water facilities, better lighting, and reinforced sanitation services. To maintain order and safety, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have been deployed in higher numbers across the network.
Shivram Manjhi, CPRO for Eastern Railway, emphasized that these measures are designed to mitigate crowd pressure at vital transit points like Bhagalpur, Sultanganj, Jamalpur, Madhupur, and Deoghar. Pilgrims are strongly advised to verify their train timings through the official IRCTC portal or the NTES app and complete their ticket bookings in advance to avoid last-minute inconvenience during this busy religious season.