Comprehensive Arrangements by Administration and Railways for Smooth and Safe Journey of Devotees and Travelers; Massive Crowds Surge in Sultanganj
Bhagalpur: Robust arrangements have been put in place by the district administration, state government, and railways to ensure that the journey of lakhs of Shiva devotees and Kanwarias visiting during the world-famous, holy Shravani Mela is completely safe, smooth, and well-organized. Special administrative policies have been implemented for the convenience of Shiva devotees across the entire fair zone, stretching from Bihar's historical silk city of Bhagalpur and the northern-flowing Ganga banks of Sultanganj all the way to Deoghar. Keeping in mind the record-shattering influx of pilgrims, unprecedented arrangements have been made for transportation, security, medical care, and accommodation.
Massive Crowds Surge at Sultanganj Station and Special Railway Arrangements
A massive spike in passenger movement has been registered during the Shravani Mela. According to data, lakhs of pilgrims are arriving at key railway stations within the fair region.
Remarkable Surge in Passenger Count: According to statistics released by Eastern Railway, an extraordinary increase of approximately 39.43 percent in passenger footfall has been recorded at Sultanganj station compared to the previous year, clearly reflecting the growing devotion and heavy influx of Kanwarias.
Operation of Special Trains and Additional Coaches: To ensure smooth rail travel for devotees, Eastern Railway is operating multiple pairs of special Mela trains, and general coaches have been added to regular trains. Additionally, the halt timings of major trains at important stations like Sultanganj and Jasidih have been extended to 5 minutes to prevent any inconvenience to passengers while boarding or deboarding.
Reliance on Modern Technology and Digital Facilities
This time, the administration has made extensive use of technology to make the Shravani Mela completely high-tech and seamless:
Shravani Mela Mobile App: To assist devotees, a dedicated 'Shravani Mela Mobile App' and digital helpdesks have been launched, providing travelers with real-time information regarding routes, train schedules, health camps, and accommodation spots.
Surveillance via CCTV and Drones: As part of rigorous security measures along the Kanwaria route and ghats, every nook and corner is being monitored via CCTV cameras and drones to handle any untoward situation immediately.
Grand Tent Cities and Basic Amenities for Accommodation
Under the guidance of the state government, massive Tent Cities have been constructed across the fair zones of Bhagalpur, Munger, and Baंका districts to provide superior rest and lodging facilities for the lakhs of arriving Shiva devotees.
These tent cities feature thousands of beds alongside clean drinking water, toilets, bathrooms, uninterrupted electricity supply, and complete lighting arrangements.
Special pavilions and security personnel have been deployed for the convenience of female devotees and senior citizens.
Medical Assistance and Healthcare Services Active 24/7
To provide immediate relief in case any devotee encounters health issues during the journey, medical camps have been set up at railway stations and along the entire Kanwaria route:
Doctors and paramedical staff have been deployed 24/7 at all major stations and medical camps.
Wheelchair assistance and prompt ambulance services have been specially made available for elderly, ailing, and differently-abled devotees to ensure every traveler's journey remains safe and smooth.
Traffic Control and Route Diversions
A special traffic plan has been enforced for smooth road transit in the Sultanganj and Bhagalpur regions. Due to restrictions on heavy vehicle entry and enforced route diversions, walking Kanwarias are not facing any disruptions. Through strong coordination between the administration and volunteer organizations, it is being ensured that every Shiva devotee can complete their sacred journey without any hardship.
