The men in saffron have hit Ranchi railway station again. As the Kanwaria season begins the railways has also geared up its machinery for the month-long shrawani mela beginning on Monday.
To oversee smooth running of trains and provide better arrangements for the pilgrims during the mela an area manager has been deputed by the railway administration. Area manager has been asked to camp at Sultanganj and facilitate the journey of devotees without hassle. Moreover an order has been given to extend the stoppage time from 1 minute to 5 minutes so that devotees can get off and on the train compartments smoothly.
ADRM, RN Jha of Ranchi division who is supervising the mela preparation by railways said, “The railway machinery has geared up to provide facilities at Sultanganj railway station. Special arrangements for sanitation at railway station premises have been made in which services of adequate number of sanitation staff are being utilized. Besides it other additional care is also being taken which include safe drinking water and 24 hours electricity facility on the station premises for the pilgrims.”
He further added, “Every station managers have been instructed to make all necessary arrangements like providing information related to trains to the passengers, put up a time table showing the details of train going via Deoghar, moreover health division of railways has also been instructed to be on guard and provide medical services to the people, if required.”
For the security of the pilgrims Railway Protection Force (RPF) constables are also on high alert they are providing round- the- clock security on the station premises and are also keeping tight vigile to ensure that no anti social elements occur within the station premises.
Rajesh Kumar along with his family going to Deoghar said, “Good arrangements have been made by the administration for the passengers. For the first time along with my family I am going to Deoghar to seek blessing from Almighty Shiva. Within the station premises all the required necessities are easily accessible.”
“There are total five trains available from Ranchi to reach Deoghar namely Baidhyanathdham Express, Ranchi Dumka Express, Vananchal Express, Maurya Express and Patli Express, but the increasing passenger strength makes it almost impossible for many devotees to have a train journey for Deoghar,” said Jitendra Mohan, a Kanwaria.
He further added, “The passengers congestion within the train boggy create suffocating ambience. I have been visiting Deoghar for past three years and every year the story inside the boggy is the same. The number of passengers increases every year and the railway administration should start some new trains especially for Deoghar pilgrims during Shrawani mela. This will help the pilgrims to travel 3smoothly.”