Ranchi/Jamshedpur: The Railways has announced festive special trains to ferry passengers from Ranchi to Deoghar during the month-long Shravani Mela, which was formally inaugurated on Thursday.Likewise, temporary stoppages at Mahadevsal railway station in West Singhbhum district were announced for 11 pairs of trains, including long-distance and passenger trains.Ranchi railway division said 08895/96 Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Itwari–Madhupur weekly festival special will run via Ranchi from August 1 to August 30. The train will provide direct connectivity to Madhupur railway station. That apart two pairs of bi-weekly Ranchi–Bhagalpur Shravani Mela special trains will be run via Rajabera and Barkakana railway stations till September.The Chakdradharpur railway division said 22 pairs of trains, including 11 pairs of express trains and 11 pairs of Memu trains, will halt for at Mahadevsal railway station till Aug 28.Located in Saranda forest in Goilkera in West Singhbhum district, thousands of devotees visit Mahadevsal Temple to perform Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva.Key trains include Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Shalimar Express, South Bihar Express, Howrah-Titlagarh Ispat Express, Howrah-Kantabanji Ispat Express , Puri-Yog Nagari Rishikesh Express and others. Memu trains connecting Tatanagar and Rourkela stations and Bamra-Rourkela Weekly Express will also halt at the station.Railway officials said temporary ticket counters, drinking water facilities and improved lightning measures have been set up at Mahadevsal station.“RPF personnel, GRP and commercial staff have been deployed in adequate numbers to assist passengers and ensure smooth operations during the Shravan Mela,” said Aditya Choudhary, senior divisional commercial manager of Chakradharpur railway division, said. He said intensive ticket-checking drives will also be held at the station and on-board the trains during the entire month of Shravan.
