The East Central Railway’s Danapur Division has introduced temporary train stoppages at seven key stations to ensure smooth travel for devotees attending the Shravani Mela 2026. These arrangements, which began on July 30, 2026, will remain operational until August 28, 2026, providing much-needed connectivity for pilgrims heading toward Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar.
Key highlights of the new railway arrangements include:
- Temporary halts at Fatuha, Hardas Bigha, Khusrupur, Karauta, Athmalgola, Mankatha, and Gandhi Halt.
- Train No. 13402 Danapur-Bhagalpur Intercity Express will now halt at Hardas Bigha and Khusrupur.
- Train No. 03235 Sahibganj-Danapur Special is scheduled to stop at Mankatha.
- Train No. 63231 Patna-DDU MEMU will include a temporary stop at Gandhi Halt.
- Indian Railways is operating 12 pairs of Mela Special trains and 3 pairs of additional MEMU specials between July 29 and August 29, 2026.
Enhanced Connectivity and Operational Measures
To manage the massive surge in footfall, the Railways has implemented a series of strategic measures. The Danapur-Sahibganj Shravani Mela Special (Train No. 03236/03235) is scheduled to run every Sunday from August 2 to August 30. Furthermore, the South Eastern Railway has also stepped in by providing temporary stoppages for 22 pairs of trains at Mahadevshal Railway Station to cater to the festive rush.
East Central Railway CPRO Saraswati Chandra noted that these measures are specifically designed to ease the journey for devotees. On a broader scale, Eastern Railway has increased halt times at critical stations such as Jasidih and Sultanganj and attached extra coaches to popular trains to accommodate the increased passenger volume.
Safety and Passenger Advice
Railway authorities are prioritizing passenger comfort and safety through robust crowd management, enhanced cleanliness, and tightened security protocols. Malda Divisional Railway Manager Manish Kumar Gupta has emphasized that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure that pilgrims have a seamless travel experience.
Passengers are strongly advised to verify their updated train schedules via the official IRCTC website or the NTES app before heading to the station. To avoid last-minute inconvenience, travelers should book their tickets in advance and plan their journeys according to the revised halt timings.