Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, March 2: In view of the surge in passenger traffic ahead of Holi, Indian Railways has introduced several special trains from Tatanagar railway station to key destinations in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, offering much-needed relief to festive travellers.
On Monday, Train No. 08181 Tatanagar–Katihar Holi Special departed from Platform No. 1 at 1:00 pm.
The train will also run on March 9, 23 and 30 (Mondays). It travels via Chandil, Muri, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Jasidih, Jhajha, Kiul and New Barauni before reaching Katihar Junction.
While general coaches were packed with passengers, sleeper coaches remained comparatively less crowded.
In addition to the 08181/08182 Tatanagar–Katihar specials, the Railways is also operating the 08183/08184 Tatanagar–Buxar special trains.
The Tatanagar–Buxar special runs every Tuesday, providing direct connectivity to major Bihar stations, including Patna and Ara, via the Chandil–Muri–Bokaro–Dhanbad–Madhupur–Jhajha route.
Meanwhile, Train No. 18185 Tatanagar–Godda Express also departed from Platform No. 1 at around 1:55 pm on Monday. The train runs via Chandil, Muri, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Madhupur, Bhagalpur and Hansdiha, reaching Godda at 6:20 am the following day.
However, brief operational halts while positioning trains at the platform led to moments of chaos, with passengers jostling to board and alight. Despite repeated announcements and whistle alerts by the guard urging commuters to maintain calm and allow the train to halt completely, some passengers attempted to board and disembark from moving coaches.
Railway authorities have appealed to travellers to arrive at the station well in advance, carry valid tickets and strictly adhere to safety norms.
Heatwave Conditions Undermine Waiting Arrangements
To manage the festive rush, special seating arrangements were made at the station’s VIP line area, where a temporary folding enclosure and tent with chairs were installed for passengers.
However, scorching afternoon temperatures over the past few days rendered the facility largely unused.
Barring a handful of commuters, most passengers avoided the tented enclosure due to the intense heat and were seen standing on platforms or seeking shaded spots instead.
Banners and posters had been placed to guide passengers to the designated seating area, but the lack of fans, coolers or enhanced ventilation limited its utility.
As passenger movement continued unabated throughout the day, pressure on the platforms remained high.
Travellers suggested that better cooling arrangements could have encouraged greater use of the facility.
Despite the challenges posed by the rising temperatures, the station administration continues efforts to regulate crowds efficiently.
For thousands heading home to celebrate Holi, the special trains have nevertheless provided significant relief amid the seasonal travel surge.
