Indian Railways has unveiled a comprehensive operational plan to handle the heavy passenger influx expected during the upcoming festive season, with a primary focus on the Shravani Mela. To ensure seamless travel for pilgrims heading to Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar and other major destinations, Eastern Railway and East Central Railway have introduced a series of special services connecting key cities across West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
- 26 pairs of special trains and continuous MEMU services launched by Eastern Railway.
- Introduction of the Howrah–Nateshwar (Rajgir) special running for 38 trips.
- New Mau to Kolkata special train (05096/05095) operational from July 22 to September 24, 2026.
- Special services feature a mix of AC, Sleeper, and General class coaches to accommodate all passengers.
Focus on Shravani Mela Connectivity
The Railways is sparing no effort to facilitate the thousands of devotees travelling to Deoghar. The Howrah–Nateshwar (Rajgir) train is scheduled to operate 38 trips between July 5 and September 29, 2026. Additionally, the Saraigarh–Deoghar service, which began on July 11, will remain active until August 28, 2026. For those travelling from Ranchi, two pairs of bi-weekly Shravani Mela special trains (08689/08690 and 08645/08646) will operate via the Koderma-Jamalpur-Sultanganj route from July 26 to September 12, 2026.
Expanding Inter-State Connectivity
Beyond the pilgrimage routes, Indian Railways is enhancing connectivity between Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The newly announced Mau–Kolkata Special (05096/05095) will provide essential transit for travellers, offering 19 coaches across various classes. This train is strategically scheduled to operate from July 22, 2026, to September 24, 2026. It will serve major stations, including Siwan, Chhapra, Hajipur, Barauni, Kiul, Jhajha, and Asansol.
ECR Chief Public Relations Officer Saraswati Chandra emphasized that these measures are part of a broader commitment to ensuring safe, convenient, and comfortable travel for all passengers during peak festive periods. Travellers are advised to check the official IRCTC website or the NTES app for real-time schedule updates and seat availability before planning their journeys.