The situation at Bhagalpur Junction turned chaotic this weekend as massive crowds surged to board the Vikramshila Express (12367). Despite the train having a seating capacity of only 400 passengers across four general coaches, official reports confirmed that over 1,000 people boarded these compartments. Passengers began lining up as early as 5:00 AM for the 11:55 AM departure, creating a situation where there was absolutely no room to even stand inside.
Security Action and Current Status
Following the extreme overcrowding observed on Saturday, Jamalpur Rail SP Vidya Sagar visited Bhagalpur station on March 8, 2026, to personally review security measures. The rush is expected to persist through Sunday night as offices reopen on Monday. To manage the chaos and prevent crime, the Bhagalpur Railway Police and Jamalpur CIB team arrested five members of the "Mungeria Bag Katwa Gang" who were operating on moving trains during this rush.
Railway officials also conducted a special ticket-checking drive on Sunday. During this operation, 38 ticketless travelers were penalized a total of ₹16,438. Additionally, 100 passengers were fined for carrying unbooked heavy luggage, which further contributes to the lack of space in coaches.
New Rules and Station Upgrades
To prevent such situations in the future, the railway administration is preparing to implement a 30-minute entry rule. Passengers will only be allowed onto the platform 30 minutes before the train departs to avoid overcrowding on the narrow platforms. A strict policy is also being enforced where waitlisted passengers are prohibited from entering reserved AC and Sleeper coaches.
For long-term crowd management, DRM Manish Kumar Gupta has approved a proposal to build a permanent "G+1" (two-story) holding area above the station parking lot. This facility will be crucial for managing passenger loads during major festivals like Holi, Diwali, and Chhath.
Current Fares: Bhagalpur to Anand Vihar
| Coach Class | Approximate Fare |
|---|---|
| General (Unreserved) | ₹300 – ₹345 |
| Sleeper (SL) | ₹575 – ₹610 |
| AC 3-Tier (3A) | ₹1,505 – ₹1,560 |
| AC 2-Tier (2A) | ₹2,085 – ₹2,200 |