To streamline travel for thousands of pilgrims heading to Baba Baidyanath Dham, Eastern Railway has announced temporary additional stoppages for two key Shravani Mela special trains. These changes are effective immediately and will remain in place throughout the duration of the Shravani Mela, which runs from July 30 to August 28, 2026. This initiative is designed to provide better connectivity for devotees traveling from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
- Train 03527/03528 Asansol-Gorakhpur-Asansol Special will now halt at Manaktha and Barahiya stations.
- Train 05027/05028 Badhani-Deoghar-Badhani Special will now provide additional stops at Dudahi and Ratan Sarai stations.
Enhanced Infrastructure and Pilgrim Safety
Beyond these specific schedule adjustments, Indian Railways has launched a comprehensive operational plan to manage the heavy footfall expected during this annual pilgrimage. The East Central Railway’s Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Division has established a 24/7 dedicated war room to monitor train movements and crowd control in real-time. Similarly, high-traffic stations such as Gaya and Sultanpur are under constant surveillance to ensure operational efficiency.
To maintain law and order and assist passengers, the railways have deployed approximately 400 additional security personnel from the RPF and GRP at critical transit points, including Jamalpur and Sultanpur. These measures are part of a broader commitment to ensuring a safe and seamless journey for the millions of travelers expected during the holy month.
Improved Passenger Amenities
Recognizing the challenges of large-scale pilgrimage travel, the railways have significantly upgraded passenger amenities. Stations along the route now feature “May I Help You” booths and 24-hour assistance centers to provide immediate support to devotees. Furthermore, the administration has prioritized sanitation, improved lighting, and the setup of dedicated medical camps to handle emergencies. To keep pilgrims informed, digital information systems have been optimized to provide real-time updates on train arrivals and departures, ensuring a more organized and comfortable experience for everyone traveling to Deoghar.