Patna: The Indian Railways will operate a special train between Rajgir and Howrah from May 16 to June 17 to manage the heavy rush of pilgrims visiting Rajgir during the Malmas Mela. The announcement was made by the East Central Railway (ECR) chief public relations officer (CPRO), Saraswati Chandra.
Train Schedule and Route
The Howrah-Rajgir special train will depart from Howrah at 10:50 PM and arrive at Rajgir at 1:00 PM the following day. On its return journey, the Rajgir-Howrah special will leave Rajgir at 2:00 PM and reach Howrah at 4:30 AM the next morning. The train will operate daily during the mela period.
The train will pass through several stations, including Nalanda, Biharsharif, Asthawan, Barbigha, Sheikhpura, Jamalpur, Lakhisarai, Kiul, and Bhagalpur, among others.
Coach Composition
The special train will consist of 14 coaches, comprising four sleeper class coaches, eight general second-class coaches, and two brake vans. This composition aims to accommodate the increased number of passengers during the festival season.
Additional Measures to Ease Overcrowding
In a separate move to reduce overcrowding, the railways have decided to attach one additional general coach to the Howrah-Mokama Express from May 16 to June 16. The CPRO stated that the train will now run with a total of 13 coaches, including eight general coaches, three sleeper coaches, and two brake vans.
The Malmas Mela attracts a large number of devotees to Rajgir, a significant pilgrimage site. The special train service is expected to provide much-needed relief to passengers traveling during this period.
