Northern Railway Special Trains: Extra Trips for Delhi, Howrah & Sitamarhi
Northern Railway announces extra special train trips for Delhi, Howrah, and Sitamarhi routes to manage Chhath Puja festive crowds.
To manage the massive surge in passenger demand during the upcoming festive season, Northern Railway has announced a significant increase in the number of trips for several special trains. This strategic expansion is specifically designed to accommodate the heavy rush expected during Chhath Puja and other major festivals, ensuring smoother travel for commuters.
Detailed Schedule of Special Festive Trains
The service expansion includes specific extra trips for several major routes to help passengers reach their destinations more easily. The scheduled services are as follows:
- Delhi Junction to Sitamarhi (Train No. 04010): This service will operate on November 26, with the return service (Train No. 04009) scheduled for November 28.
- Shakur Basti to Mansi Junction (Train No. 04406): Services will run on November 15 and 16, while the return trips (Train No. 04405) are set for November 17 and 18.
- Sarhind Junction to Saharsa (Train No. 04528): This train will depart on November 16, with the return service (Train No. 04527) on November 17.
- New Delhi to Howrah (Train No. 04054): Services are scheduled for November 14, 16, and 18. The return service (Train No. 04053) will operate on November 16, 18, and 20.
These additions are part of a broader Indian Railways initiative to handle the significant travel demand, which also includes various reserved and unreserved festival specials on routes such as Lucknow-Barauni and Gorakhpur-Delhi.
Real-Time Monitoring via Dedicated War Room
To ensure seamless operations during this high-pressure period, a dedicated 'War Room' has been established at Rail Bhawan. This facility is responsible for monitoring crowd conditions in real-time. This constant oversight allows authorities to deploy additional unreserved special trains on short notice if passenger numbers exceed expectations.
Enhanced Security and Station Management
Railway officials from the Delhi Division and headquarters are actively managing passenger movement across major transport hubs, including New Delhi, Anand Vihar Terminal, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Delhi Junction, and Shakur Basti.
To mitigate platform congestion and ensure passenger safety, several enhanced arrangements are currently in effect:
- Increased Staffing: Additional ticket counters and more staff have been deployed to handle the rush.
- Reinforced Security: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have increased their presence across stations.
- Surveillance: Extensive CCTV surveillance is being used to monitor station activities.
- Inter-State Coordination: Railways are coordinating closely with state authorities, including the Bihar Police, to maintain order and safety.