ECR to run more MEMU trains in Danapur division – to develop Karbigahiya end of Danapur

ECR to run more MEMU trains in Danapur division – to develop Karbigahiya end of Danapur

Danapur (DNR): Railways intends to introduce more MEMU trains under Danapur division. The Patna-Gaya section of the division has MEMU trains only and all conventional rakes of passenger trains have been withdrawn, sources said.

Railways recently introduced MEMU train between Buxar and Fatuha (63261/63262) on the mainline section of Danapur division of East Central Railway (ECR) for the convenience of local commuters. The conventional rake of the local passenger train running on this route has been withdrawn. Railways took this decision to help commuters reach their places in time, said ECR CPRO Arvind Rajak.

According to Rajak, the conventional rake of the passenger train was running with the load combination of 18 coaches. The total seating capacity in the coaches of conventional rake was 1,200 while the same number of passengers could travel standing in the coaches. The MEMU train is running with the standard formation of load combination of 16 coaches but the seating capacity in its rake is about 1,250 while about 4,000 passengers can travel standing with the help of support handles, he said.

The CPRO said that the greatest advantage of MEMU is that it always runs in time and there is little scope of alarm chain pulling (ACP) by miscreants. Earlier, passengers could easily stop trains on Buxar-Patna-Fatuha route by resorting to ACP. As a result, mail and express trains running on the back report of passenger train, get delayed unnecessarily, he said.

The withdrawal of conventional rake on this route might have irked a section of passengers misusing ACP and a furious mob blocked train movement for sometime at Bihta on July 31. The mob also put slipper on railway tracks just in front of Garib Rath which was passing Bihta station. Luckily, the loco pilot of the train noticed it and stopped the train in time, the CPRO said.

Railways developing Karbigahiya-end of Patna Junction

East Central Railway (ECR) GM Madhuresh Kumar has directed Danapur division to provide better amenities to passengers at all major stations under its jurisdiction. In this light, Patna Junction, a hub of passenger trains, has been given a facelift at Karbighaiya-end to facilitate easy movement of passengers round the clock.

The GM has also instructed the safety officials concerned to deploy adequate number of railway security personnel at this end to maintain law and order to ensure passengers’ security, particularly during night. With a sharp increase in the flow of passengers at Patna Junction, railways has developed the Karbighaiya-end as the second exit. It has removed all encroachments in and around the station area. This project, on the pattern of Delhi’s Ajmeri Gate, is almost complete.

According to ECR CPRO Arvind Rajak, railways has already made platform no 10 functional. Passengers have started either boarding or making an exit from this end during peak time. Railways is committed to develop it further. He said a large number of people living in the southern parts of Patna prefer to board trains or receive their guests at this end. Passengers are also buying general tickets from unreserved ticketing system counters located at the Karbighaiya-end.

Under the new plan, railways has developed a spacious parking slot for vehicles at the Karbighaiya-end. Tempos and buses, which used to be illegally parked on this side of the station, have been removed now. Railways intends to make the entry point free from congestion and encroachments, the CPRO said.

According to sources, railways intends to construct a refreshment hall, waiting hall and retiring room at the Karbighaiya-end to cater to the needs of passengers. Karbighaiya-end has become a central place due to the fact that a super specialty hospital, route-relay interlocking system and information technology (IT) centres are located on this side.

Passengers in general have lauded the efforts of railways for developing Karbighaiya-end as the second exit point. Patna Junction becomes inaccessible during peak hours in the evening due to traffic snarls and encroachments around the main entrance point. However, some passengers have appealed to railways to hold talks with senior traffic police officials as passengers coming from Chiraiyatand side are forced to take a turn over Mithapur overbridge and then come in a long queue to enter the station premises. Railways should ensure entry to passengers coming from Chiraiyatand side to Karbighiaya station directly, they demanded.