The flow of devotees from across the country to Gaya continues amid the Pitru Paksha Mahasangam. During this period, the Railways has changed the operation of several trains due to ongoing non-interlocking (NI) work on the Rajendra Rail Bridge at Mokama. A large number of trains are being operated on alternative routes instead of their scheduled routes. More than 15 important trains are passing through the Grand Chord rail section via Kiul-Gaya. This is providing an alternative rail facility to passengers travelling to Gaya during Pitru Paksha, while also increasing the pressure of trains and passengers at Gaya Junction.
The NI work is underway from September 21 to October 4 as part of the process to start operations on the new bridge from the Mokama Rail Bridge. The technical work has affected several rail sections under East Central Railway. In view of the situation, the Railways has decided to operate several trains on diverted routes so that important rail services can continue through alternative routes instead of being completely suspended. According to the railway plan already issued, several trains during this period have been cancelled, diverted or partially operated.
The Pitru Paksha Mela is currently underway in Gaya. The fair, which began on September 25, is drawing people from different parts of the country to Gaya for pind daan and tarpan for their ancestors. As a result, the number of passengers at Gaya Junction has increased significantly compared with normal days. Amid this crowd, trains arriving through diverted routes have added to the operational and passenger-management challenges at the station. The Railways has arranged announcements, information boards and staff assistance to provide passengers with information about train routes and platforms.
Among the major trains operating via Kiul-Gaya through the Grand Chord rail section are 15657 Delhi-Kamakhya Brahmaputra Mail, 15658 Kamakhya-Delhi Brahmaputra Mail, 22405 Bhagalpur-Anand Vihar Terminal Garib Rath Express, 22406 Anand Vihar Terminal-Bhagalpur Garib Rath Express and 15647 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Guwahati Express. The diverted routes of these trains are applicable according to different dates and operating schedules. Passengers should therefore check the latest route for their train on the scheduled date of travel.
In addition, some trains are being operated from Kiul via Sheikhpura, Bihar Sharif and Bakhtiyarpur. The route changes have affected not only passengers travelling to Gaya but also those from Nawada, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai and surrounding areas. At the same time, the diverted routes are providing an additional travel option on some trains for passengers from these areas.
A large number of devotees are currently travelling on trains bound for Gaya because of the Pitru Paksha Mela. People from different parts of the country reach Gaya by rail and then travel to Vishnupad Temple, the ghats of the Falgu River and other pind daan sites. As a result, passengers have to plan their journeys in advance when train routes are changed. For those visiting Gaya for the first time, understanding the changed routes and platform arrangements has become particularly important.
The NI work underway at Mokama is an important part of the process of connecting the new rail bridge with the existing rail network. Technical work is being carried out at Rajendra Pul Mokama, Hathidah Upper, Tal, Rampur Dumra and Dinkar Gram Simaria stations and rail sections. The connection of the new bridge will complete an important step towards increasing the capacity of this rail route.
A large number of train operations have been changed during September because of the major technical work being undertaken by the Railways. In different phases, several trains have been cancelled, while many others have been diverted. A large number of trains were also affected by railway work on September 26. Therefore, relying only on the old route mentioned on the ticket is not sufficient for passengers. The latest train operation status and route should be checked before travelling.
Special arrangements have already been made at Gaya Junction in view of Pitru Paksha. Railway officials have inspected the station platforms, circulating area, holding area and waiting rooms. Arrangements for drinking water, cleanliness, lighting, information and announcement systems, and security have been reviewed for passengers. Special emphasis is also being placed on managing passenger entry and exit in an orderly manner if the crowd increases.
During Pitru Paksha, passenger pressure at Gaya Junction is not limited to the time when trains arrive. A large number of devotees head directly from the station to pind daan sites after getting off trains. Crowds also gather at the station for return journeys after completing the rituals. As a result, the Railways has to maintain continuous monitoring in the station premises as well as on train platforms and in the circulating area.
For passengers travelling on diverted trains, the most important point is that all trains are not operating on the same diverted route every day. Route changes for some trains have been made only for specific dates. Therefore, passengers who have already booked tickets should check the latest update for their train according to the date of travel. The Railways has also urged passengers to confirm the status of their train before travelling.
The simultaneous timing of the Mokama Rail Bridge work and the Pitru Paksha Mela has increased the role of the Gaya-Kiul rail section. Trains operating from Kiul to Gaya and onward through the Grand Chord are adding to the operational load on this route. The Railways has to complete the technical work while also ensuring smooth travel for millions of devotees during Pitru Paksha.
The NI work related to the Mokama Rail Bridge is currently planned to be completed by October 4. After that, operations of trains running on diverted routes are expected to gradually return to normal. However, in case of any change in the route, timing or stoppage of a train, passengers should treat the latest railway update as the final information.
The Pitru Paksha Mela in Gaya is scheduled to continue until October 10, so the movement of devotees will continue in the coming days. The challenge for the Railways is to maintain a balance between passenger facilities and train operations while the technical work is underway. Additional or diverted trains operating via Kiul-Gaya are providing an alternative travel facility to many passengers, but in view of the increasing pressure at the station, passengers should check their train route and timing before travelling.
