by Suresh Pd Nikhar
Gaya: In preparation for the Pitru Paksha Mela 2024, a crucial meeting was held on Wednesday at the Gaya Railway Station auditorium. District Magistrate Dr. Tyagarajan SM presided over the session, which included senior officials from the railway station, Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Protection Force (RPF), and the district administration.
The meeting addressed the anticipated surge in passengers due to the festival. Current reports indicate that over 85 pairs of trains are operational, serving between 40,000 to 50,000 passengers daily. During the Pitru Paksha Mela, this number is expected to rise significantly, with an estimated 80,000 to 90,000 visitors arriving in the Gaya district each day.
Officials highlighted that the majority of pilgrims come from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Haryana. Most trains are scheduled to arrive between 9 PM and 4 AM. To accommodate the influx, the station currently provides 20 toilets—5 inside and 15 outside the railway station—with additional temporary facilities under construction. The District Magistrate has instructed that all toilets be maintained in a clean and functional state and emphasized that the railway’s infrastructure must be optimally organized despite ongoing reconstruction.
Further instructions were given to the District Transport Officer to ensure that vehicles charging above the regulated fare face permit cancellations. Vehicles entering the station premises must be managed according to a systematic queue to prevent traffic congestion.
The District Magistrate also stressed the importance of vigilant surveillance, directing that the 66 high-resolution CCTV cameras and a 360-degree revolving camera be supplemented with additional units. Improved lighting along approach roads was also mandated.
The station manager announced that a round-the-clock control room will be operational both inside and outside the railway station. This control room will include representatives from each railway department, with ten reservation counters and additional ones for the festival period. A 24-hour railway inquiry center will also be available. Contact details for the control room, GRP, and RPF will be prominently displayed to assist passengers.
Security will be bolstered with GRP personnel stationed at 28 key locations within the station premises, a measure that will continue from previous years. Additionally, a medical team and ambulance will be stationed at the railway station throughout the festival to address any health emergencies.
The meticulous planning aims to ensure a smooth and secure experience for all visitors during the Pitru Paksha Mela, reflecting the commitment of the local administration and railway authorities to passenger safety and convenience.
