Railways announce additional trains to Digha for Jagannath temple inauguration rush

The West Bengal government is taking no chances with the upcoming inauguration ceremony of the Jagannath Temple in Digha. A massive crowd is expected to gather during the event, prompting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to personally lead a high-level meeting with officials across departments and district administrations to ensure seamless arrangements and maximum security.

To handle the anticipated travel rush, the state government had requested additional transport facilities from the Indian Railways. Responding swiftly, the South Eastern Railway has announced two special trains daily from April 25 to May 4. One train will operate between Howrah and Digha, while the other will run from Panskura to Digha. These trains are expected to ease the pressure on regular services and provide safe, convenient travel options for thousands of pilgrims and visitors.

The Howrah-Digha special train will depart daily at 1:10 pm and reach Digha at 5:35 pm. The return journey will start at 6:45 pm and conclude at Howrah by 10:35 pm, with a total of 41 stops en route. The Panskura-Digha train will depart at 5:30 am and reach Digha by 7:25 am, returning at 7:35 am to arrive back in Panskura by 10:20 am, stopping at 18 stations along the way.

To ensure safety and maintain public order, CCTV cameras are being installed in key locations including Howrah, Kolaghat, and Digha. Watchtowers are also being constructed to provide vantage points for security personnel. The railways have been urged to deploy extra security forces at stations and on trains during the event period.

At the main venue in Digha, arrangements are being made to seat 12,000 people across three massive hangars on April 29 and 30. For those unable to travel, the inauguration ceremony will be broadcast across West Bengal via LED screens in every block, ensuring statewide participation in this spiritual occasion.

On April 29, a special home-yajna will be performed by Rajesh Dwaitapati from the Puri temple, accompanied by his associates. ISKCON Kolkata head Sebayet Radharman Das will also be present. The ceremonial inauguration of the Jagannath idol will take place at 11 am on Akshaya Tritiya, April 30, followed by a grand cultural event. Post 3 pm, the temple doors will be opened to the general public for darshan.