Railway to run special trains from Patna, Darbhanga, Saharsa

PATNA: The East Central Railway (ECR) has chalked out a comprehensive plan to cope with passengers’ rush after Chhath. While railways is already running about 45 pairs of special trains either originating from or passing through the ECR jurisdiction, it has further decided to run three more pairs of Delhi-bound special trains from Patna Junction, Darbhanga and Saharsa to clear post-Chhath passengers rush.
According to ECR chief public relations officer (CPRO) Rajesh Kumar, railways will run a special train (82365/03266) from Patna Junction on November 7 and 10 for Anand Vihar (Delhi). The special train will leave Patna Junction at 8.30pm and reach Anand Vihar the following day at 2.20pm. On its return journey, it will leave Anand Vihar on November 8 and 11 at 6.35pm and reach Patna Junction the following day at 4.30pm, he said, adding the load combination of the special train will be of 15 coaches, which include one 2AC, four 3AC, eight sleeper and two brake vans.
Similarly, railways will run a special train (82527/05528) between Darbhanga and Delhi on November 4 from Darbhanga at 9.30pm and reach Delhi the following day at 10.10pm. The special train will run via Samastipur-Hajipur-Gorakhpur. On its return journey, it will leave Delhi on the intervening night of November 6/7 at 12.10am and reach Darbhanga the following day at 11.45pm, the CPRO said. Another special train (05531/05532) will run between Saharsa and Delhi on November 5 and 8 from Saharsa at 9.35pm and reach Delhi the following day at 2am in night.
Besides, a special train (82327/82328) between Dhanbad and Sitamarhi via Jhajha-Barauni — Samastipur will leave Dhanbad on November 9 at 6.30pm and reach Sitamarhi the following day at 7.30am. On its return journey, it will leave Sitamarhi on November 10 at 9.30am and reach Dhanbad the same day at 11.15pm. The special train will run with the load combination of 22 coaches, including one coach of 1AC cum 2AC, one 2AC, three 3AC, nine sleepers, six general coaches and two brake vans, the CPRO said.
Under the security plan as envisaged, railways has created a ‘holding area’ at each major platform, including Patna Junction, to restrict sudden entry of passengers in large numbers. Railway security personnel would guide them and provide a safe passage to the station premises. The ‘holding area’ is provided with public address system, the CPRO said, adding railways has decided that there would be no last moment changes in platforms to avoid a stampede-like situation on the foot overbridges (FOBs), particularly at Patna Junction.