Ranchi Special Trains Extended for Post-Chhath Puja Rush
South Eastern Railway extends special train services near Ranchi and adds new routes to manage the post-Chhath Puja passenger rush.
To manage the massive surge in passenger traffic following the Chhath Puja festivities, the South Eastern Railway has announced significant extensions and new services. These measures are specifically designed to assist commuters during their return journeys, particularly for those traveling through or originating from the Ranchi region.
Extended Train Schedules for Key Routes
Several existing festival special trains will see increased frequency or extended operational dates to accommodate the heavy rush. The following services have been updated:
- Ranchi–Purnia Court–Ranchi Special (08625/08626): This service is scheduled to depart from Ranchi on November 27 and from Purnia Court on November 28.
- Ranchi–Alipurduar–Ranchi Weekly Special (08661/08662): This train will operate from Ranchi on November 16 and 23, and from Alipurduar on November 18 and 25.
- Rourkela–Jhajha–Rourkela Special (08105/08106): This service, which traverses Ranchi, will run extended trips with departures set for November 26 from Rourkela and November 27 from Jhajha.
Railway authorities have confirmed that despite these extensions, the existing timetables and designated station stoppages for these services will remain unchanged.
New Puja Special Trains Introduced
In addition to extending current services, the railway is introducing two new Puja Special trains to provide better connectivity for passengers heading towards Patna and other major hubs:
- Gondia–Patna–Gondia Special (08895/08896): This route will serve passengers via Ranchi, Muri, Bokaro Steel City, and Dhanbad.
- Visakhapatnam–Patna–Visakhapatnam Special (08588/08587): This service will cater to travelers through stations including Jasidih and Madhupur.
Enhanced Security and Safety Protocols
With the high volume of passengers expected, security has been intensified at major stations. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been deployed at key locations, including Ranchi and Daltonganj, to manage boarding queues and maintain order on the platforms.
Safety measures have also been extended to the tracks. To prevent potential accidents near water bodies and Chhath ghats, engine crews have been issued specific instructions to:
- Maintain reduced speeds when operating in the vicinity of riverbanks and ghats.
- Utilize prolonged whistles to alert devotees and passengers near the water.