SECR Special Trains for Dongargarh Navratri Mela 2026
The South East Central Railway (SECR) has announced a series of special transport arrangements to assist devotees visiting the Maa Bamleshwari Temple during the Navratri festival. To accommodate the massive surge of pilgrims expected at Dongargarh, these special services will be in effect from October 11 to October 20, 2026.
MEMU Service Extensions and New Routes
To improve local connectivity and manage the heavy influx of passengers, SECR is implementing several changes to the MEMU passenger services. These adjustments are designed to provide more direct access to the pilgrimage site.
- Gondia-Durg-Gondia MEMU Passenger: This service will have its route extended to Raipur.
- Raipur-Dongargarh-Raipur MEMU Passenger: This route will be extended to Gondia to facilitate easier travel.
- New Special MEMU: A new special MEMU Passenger service, numbered 06886/06885, will operate between Dongargarh and Durg to manage the high volume of local passengers.
Extra Halts for Major Express Trains
In a significant move to benefit long-distance travelers, ten major Mail-Express trains have been granted a temporary, two-minute halt at Dongargarh station. This will allow pilgrims traveling from distant parts of the country to reach the temple more conveniently.
The Express trains receiving these temporary halts include:
- Bilaspur-Bhagat Ki Kothi Express
- Bilaspur-Bikaner Express
- Bilaspur-Chennai Express
- Bilaspur-Pune Express
- Raipur-Secunderabad Express
Enhanced Security and Crowd Management
Beyond the changes to train schedules, the railway administration has prioritized passenger safety. Comprehensive measures for crowd management and security have been implemented at Dongargarh station. These protocols are specifically designed to ensure the safety and convenience of all pilgrims throughout the ten-day festival period.