Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Railways has planned to run 315 special trains to and from Odisha’s Puri town for smooth travel and convenience of the pilgrims during Lord Jagannath’s Rath Jatra this year.

The special train services will be made available from July 6 to July 19.

The ECoR has planned to run the special trains from different parts of Odisha and neighbouring states. This year, special trains have been planned from Badampahad, Rourkela, Baleswar, Sonepur and Daspalla, Junagarh Road, Sambalpur, Kendujhargarh, Paradeep, Bhadrak, Angul, Gunupur and Bangiriposi on the occasion of Rath Jatra.

Besides, special trains have also been planned for Sandhya Darshan, Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha. The ECoR has also planned to run special trains for Adharapana ritual of the deities.

This apart, the ECoR is committed to run more special trains in view of rush and demands from devotees during the festival.

For the convenience of the passengers, The Railway authorities have taken necessary steps to provide Reserved Class accommodation in some of the long distance special trains during the festival.

Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized on improvement in passenger amenities and facilities during the Rath Jatra and advised the ECoR for provision of better convenience and benefits for the pilgrims and devotees.

The ECoR has taken initiatives for crowd management, Train Information System/Enquiry Counters, Video Walls Display, additional Ticket Booking Counters and Mobile Ticket Counters, Pilgrim Waiting Area/Sheds, security arrangements, catering & hospitality, medical facilities & ambulance for the passengers.

Besides, the Railway authorities will arrange power and water supply, cleanliness, security, drinking water, and sufficient toilets for the devotees and passengers.

ECoR General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal inspected the arrangements at Puri Railway Station and advised the officials to complete all works in this regard much before the Car Festival.