Northern Railway Launches Chhath Puja Special Trains
Northern Railway introduces Chhath Puja special trains to manage the passenger rush to Bihar and Purvanchal, including Chandigarh and Sirhind routes.
To manage the massive surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming festive season, Northern Railway has introduced several Chhath Puja special trains. These additional services are specifically designed to help devotees traveling toward Bihar and Purvanchal reach their destinations more easily.
New Special Train Routes and Schedules
The Ambala Division is spearheading these operations under its "Train on Demand" initiative. By closely monitoring passenger demand data, authorities are prepared to expand these services further if necessary. Key train details include:
- Chandigarh–Barauni Special (04538/04537): The reserved service 04538 departed Chandigarh at 10:00 PM on November 10, passing through Yamunanagar-Jagadhri at 12:02 AM on November 11. The return journey, train 04537, is scheduled to depart Barauni on November 12 at 6:30 AM and is expected to reach Yamunanagar-Jagadhri by 11:25 AM on November 13.
- Sirhind–Saharsa Unreserved Special (04568): This unreserved service departed Sirhind on November 9, traveling via Ambala Cantt, Yamunanagar-Jagadhri, and Saharanpur.
- Chandigarh–Katihar Special (04570): This special train departed Chandigarh on the night of November 9, with its route including Yamunanagar-Jagadhri and Saharanpur.
Managing the Festive Rush
The "Train on Demand" strategy allows the Ambala Division to be proactive. Officials are continuously analyzing travel patterns to ensure that the influx of passengers during the Chhath Puja festival does not lead to extreme congestion on existing routes.
Safety Advisory for Passengers
Yashanjeet Singh, the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager for the Ambala Division, has issued an important appeal to all commuters. He urged passengers to maintain patience and strictly avoid overcrowding while boarding or alighting from the trains.
Additionally, railway authorities have emphasized that safety must remain the top priority. During this peak festive travel period, passengers are advised to take extra precautions to ensure the safety and comfort of children and elderly travelers.