Tatanagar sets up holding area for 1,000 passengers ahead of festive rush
PINAKI MAJUMDAR Jamshedpur, October 13: With passenger traffic expected to surge during Durga Puja and Chhath, the railway administration has stepped up…
PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, October 13: With passenger traffic expected to surge during Durga Puja and Chhath, the railway administration has stepped up preparations at Tatanagar railway station, introducing special arrangements to manage the festive rush and ensure smoother passenger movement.
A temporary holding area with a capacity of 1,000 passengers has been set up along the VIP lane. The facility is equipped with chairs, fans and drinking water to provide basic comfort to travellers waiting to board trains.
The initiative aims to regulate passenger movement and prevent overcrowding on platforms, particularly during the arrival and departure of long-distance trains bound for Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Passengers to Wait in Designated Area
Under the new arrangement, passengers will be required to wait in the designated holding area before being escorted to the platforms in orderly queues.
The system is intended to prevent large crowds from gathering on platforms simultaneously and reduce the risk of jostling and confusion during boarding, especially in general coaches that tend to experience heavy rush during peak travel periods.
Seating arrangements, fans and drinking water have been provided to make the waiting period more comfortable, particularly for elderly passengers, women, children and those travelling long distances.
The facility is expected to help railway authorities regulate passenger flow more effectively and maintain safety and convenience during the festive season.
Tatanagar Braces for Increased Passenger Traffic
Tatanagar is an important station on the Howrah-Mumbai main line and one of the busiest stations in the Chakradharpur railway division. It handles substantial passenger traffic on regular days, with the festive season putting additional pressure on platforms, circulating areas and passenger amenities.
Demand for rail travel typically rises during Durga Puja and Chhath as people travel to their hometowns to celebrate with their families. With Chhath following Durga Puja, the pressure on railway infrastructure is expected to remain high throughout the festive period.
Tatanagar-Buxar Puja Special to Ease Travel
In another measure to accommodate the seasonal rush, the Railways is operating a special train between Tatanagar and Buxar to facilitate travel to Bihar.
Train No. 08183, the Tatanagar-Buxar Puja Special, is scheduled to operate from October 13 to November 25, 2026, providing an additional travel option during the festive period.
According to the schedule, the train will depart from Tatanagar every Tuesday at 8.30 pm and arrive at Buxar at 9.15 am the following Wednesday.
On its return journey, the train will leave Buxar every Wednesday at 11.55 am and reach Tatanagar at 12.15 am on Thursday.
The additional service is expected to benefit passengers travelling to Bihar during Durga Puja and Chhath. By providing an alternative to regular services, it could help distribute passenger traffic more evenly.
Passengers Advised to Follow Queue Arrangements
The effectiveness of the new arrangements will depend on proper queue management, close monitoring of passenger movement and coordination to prevent overcrowding during boarding.
Passengers are advised to reach the station well in advance, follow the designated queue arrangements and avoid rushing towards coaches when trains arrive.
The holding area, combined with the festival special train, is expected to make travel through Tatanagar safer and more organised during the festive rush.
