To accommodate the surge of pilgrims traveling to Baba Baidyanath Dham for the upcoming Vishwa Shravani Mela, Indian Railways has introduced a new daily unreserved special train service. The service will run between Barhani and Deoghar, ensuring smoother connectivity for devotees heading to the fair, which officially begins on July 30, 2026.
- Train 05028 (Barhani-Deoghar) will operate daily from July 28 to August 29, 2026, completing 33 trips.
- Train 05027 (Deoghar-Barhani) will operate daily from July 29 to August 30, 2026, completing 33 trips.
- Key stoppages include Munger, Sultanganj, Bhagalpur, Barahat, and Banka.
- The service aims to manage the heavy passenger rush anticipated during the Mela period.
Operational Schedule and Route Details
According to the official announcement made on July 19, 2026, by the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Eastern Railway’s Malda Division, Manish Kumar Gupta, the special trains are strategically timed. The Barhani-Deoghar Special (05028) is scheduled to depart Barhani at 3:20 PM, arriving in Deoghar at 1:00 PM the following day. The return leg, Deoghar-Barhani Special (05027), will depart Deoghar at 6:45 PM and reach Barhani at 3:15 PM the next day.
Security and Pilgrimage Arrangements
With the Shravani Mela preparations nearing completion, authorities have ramped up security measures significantly. The local administration, targeting a completion date of July 25, has deployed over 14,000 additional personnel to manage the crowds. The site will be monitored 24/7 through an AI-based control room, drones, and smart surveillance systems.
Furthermore, the National Security Guard (NSG) has conducted a comprehensive security audit of the Baba Temple complex, Sanskar Mandap, and designated queue routes. To prioritize the experience of general pilgrims, officials have confirmed that VIP, VVIP, and out-of-turn darshan arrangements will be suspended on all Sundays and Mondays throughout the duration of the Mela. Passengers are advised to plan their travel accordingly and keep track of updates regarding these unreserved services.