RailEnquiry

RANCHI: The railways is planning to introduce a special train for Baidyanath Dham in the wake of " kanwariyas" crowding Deoghar-bound trains from Ranchi. All the trains going via Jasidih station are full of devotees. The rush is so huge that the "kanwariyas" force their way into reserved coaches too.

The Ranchi division of the South Eastern Railway has briefed its headquarters about the situation. Divisional railway manager Gajan Malaya said running a special train for Deoghar from Ranchi could solve the problem.

In a letter to senior officials in headquarters, the Ranchi division has demanded a Shravani Mela special train between Ranchi and Jasidih station. "The approval is likely to be given soon. We have intimated the authorities about the necessity," said Malaya.

At present, only one train caters for the "kanwariyas" from Ranchi. The special train Hatia-Baidyanath Dham Express leaves from here at 1.25pm daily and reaches Jasidih at 9pm and thus it is not a preferable train for the "kanwariyas". Nonetheless the train draws hundreds of them.

Along with it, there is Maurya Express to Gorakhpur, Patliputra Express to Patna and Bhagalpur-Vananchal Express to Bhagalpur and Ranchi-Jayanagar Express to Darbhanga and Jayanagar which go via Jasidih. Patliputra Express leaves Ranchi at 10.15pm and reaches Jasidih around 4am. This train is the most crowded by "kanwariyas" because of its timing.

"All the four trains are almost out of bounds for general passengers. The waiting lists are as long as over 100," said a reservation official. Senior divisional commercial manager Kali Shankar Mukherjee said it was a usual phenomenon. "It continues throughout Sawan," he added. A senior railway official said additional bogies were added to the trains whenever such necessity arose. "More additional bogies will be added in the trains if the situation requires so," said Malaya.

A special Shravani Mela express train started running from Tatanagar station from Friday. "The train has been approved by the headquarters. The rush to Deoghar is equally huge from Jamshedpur," said a railway official.