Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: With major festivals like Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath approaching, people from Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha residing in Bengaluru are facing growing difficulty securing seats to return home, with several trains from Bengaluru to Jharkhand running out of availability and others showing long waiting lists, prompting the Jharkhand Rail Users Association (JRUA) to write to the DRM of South Western Railway’s Bengaluru Division demanding special trains.
Association Proposes Special Trains on Two Key Routes
JRUA has suggested running special trains on two primary routes to ease passenger difficulty. The first proposal calls for a special train between Yelahanka and Dhanbad, routed via DMM, GNT, RGDA, RNC and BKSC. The association has also proposed a train from Hosur or Bengaluru to Hatia, requesting two trips per week on these routes, totalling 32 up-down trips. The second proposal seeks a special train between Yelahanka and Tatanagar/Adityapur, routed via GTL, YG, CHZ, BZA, VZM and BBS, with a total of 16 proposed trips on this route.
Existing Trains Facing Severe Seat Shortage
According to the association, several categories on the SMVB Hatia Express and SMVB Hatia Superfast Express running from Bengaluru to Ranchi have already closed bookings, with seat status showing “REGRET.” The association also noted that the October 15 train has been reported fully cancelled. Waiting lists on Bengaluru-Tatanagar trains have crossed 100, while the absence of a direct train from Bengaluru to Bokaro Steel City and Dhanbad has further compounded passenger difficulties. The association also pointed out the lack of a direct train from Hyderabad to Tatanagar, with available alternatives also facing seat shortages.
Association Urges Timely Decision from Railways
JRUA president Kumar Abhishek, secretary Nair Imam and treasurer Chhoti Kumari have urged the railways to announce special trains at the earliest, noting that large numbers of people travel home during festival season, and inadequate train availability forces passengers into expensive tickets, long waiting periods, and sometimes alternate travel routes. The association has requested that special trains be announced before the festival season begins, allowing people to book tickets in time and celebrate with their families.
