The South Eastern Railway will run a special train between Tatanagar and Chapra on October 25 to meet the passenger rush in view of the holy festival, Chhath.
A spokesperson of Garden Reach, the Kolkata-based headquarters of South Eastern Railway said that the special train (08181) will leave Tatanagar railway station at 9.15 pm on October 25 and will reach Chapra at 1.15 pm the next day. On its return journey the train (08182) will leave Chapra at 3.30 pm on October 26 and will arrive at Tatanagar railway station at 7 am , the next day.
The special train consisting 11 coaches (AC2 Tier -1, AC3 Tier-1, Sleeper Class-5, General Second Class-2 and luggage Van-2) will have stoppages at Chandil, Purulia, Joychandipahar, Asansol, Chittaranjan, Madhupur, Jasidih, Jhajha, Kiul, Barauni, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur and Hajipur stations between Tatanagar and Chhapra.
Sources informed that all Bihar-bound passenger trains either originating or passing through Tatanagar and long distance buses are witnessing a huge rush of passengers. Waiting lists for several long-distance trains, headed for the neighbouring State, have crossed the 150 mark. Chhath, one of the biggest festivities in Bihar and Jharkhand, will be celebrated on October 29 and 30 this year.
Sources at the computerised passenger reservation centre at Tatanagar revealed that the Tata-Danapur Superfast Express and the Durg-Danapur South Bihar Express show long waiting lists between October 24 and 29.
Tatanagar station manager Awtar Singh said that they are taking extra care this time to provide relief to the commuters travelling in general coaches as they are the ones who have to bear the brunt of the menace created by some anti-social elements.
UK Srivastava, a senior functionary, Chotanagpur Passengers Association said that thousands of people from the steel city and other places visit Bihar during this time to celebrate Chhath with their families, the initiative to run special train will provide ease to the passengers.