Indian Railways has ramped up its connectivity for the Shravani Mela 2026, announcing a slew of new unreserved special trains to assist pilgrims traveling to Baba Baidyanath and Baba Basukinath Dhams. These services are designed to manage the heavy passenger surge expected during the festival, particularly around the auspicious second and third Mondays of August. The new services will operate alongside the existing special trains that are already running from July 31 to August 30, 2026, with the additional routes specifically scheduled between August 10 and August 25, 2026.
Key highlights of the new service announcement include:
- Introduction of the 03562 Jasidih–Basukinath Special departing at 2:55 PM on August 10, 17, and 24.
- Deployment of special services including the 03563, 03564, and 03565 connecting Basukinath and Patna.
- Launch of the 03567 Madhupur–Narkatiaganj Special and a dedicated service from Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (DDU) to Jasidih.
- Temporary extension of halt times to five minutes for most Mail, Express, and Passenger trains at Jasidih and Sultanganj.
- Addition of extra general coaches to existing trains to manage the high demand.
Enhanced Connectivity and Operational Adjustments
Shibram Manjhi, Chief Public Relations Officer of Eastern Railway, stated that the Asansol Division has finalized these comprehensive arrangements to ensure a safe and seamless travel experience for all devotees. The 03562 Jasidih–Basukinath Special will serve key pilgrimage points, including Deoghar, Mohanpur, and Ghormara. Similarly, the services connecting Basukinath and Patna will provide vital transit stops at Ghormara, Mohanpur, Deoghar, Jasidih, and Simultala.
To further assist travelers, the railway has implemented a five-minute halt policy at Jasidih and Sultanganj stations for most Mail, Express, and Passenger trains from July 30 to August 29, 2026. Passengers should note that this temporary halt extension does not apply to premium services such as Rajdhani or Vande Bharat trains. By increasing coach capacity and optimizing train schedules, Indian Railways aims to minimize overcrowding and provide a more convenient pilgrimage for the thousands of ‘Kanwariyas’ expected to visit the holy sites this year.