Dumka-Jasidih trains

Dumka-Jasidih trains

RAJESH KUMAR PANDEY

Railway officials inspect Basukinath station on Saturday. (Rajesh Kumar Pandey) Dumka, June 11: There is good news for the lakhs of kanwarias travelling to Deoghar and Basukinath for the annual Shravani Mela. Senior railway officials today cleared the decks for commencement of train services between Jasidih and Dumka, following a final inspection of the line. General manager of Eastern Railway Varun Bharthuar and divisional railway manager of Asansol division J.N. Jha expressed satisfaction after inspecting the infrastructure facilities at the three stations — Deoghar, Ghormara and Basukinath — and four halts — Mohanpur, Chandan Pahari, Jama and Madanpur. “Trains can ply along this route by the end of this month,” the general manager told reporters at Dumka railway station, adding that the final dates would be announced soon. The Union railway minister is expected to flag off the first train. Officials are pulling out all stops to ensure train services before the start of the month-long Shravani Mela on July 16, when lakhs of people from across the country arrive to offer puja at Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar and Basukinath Shiva temple in Dumka. The worshippers earlier had to depend on road transport to travel between the two pilgrimage sites. The work of establishing basic amenities for passengers such as shades, drinking waters and toilets in the stations and halts is on in full flow. “As of now we will engage two trains on the 72km route. More trains will be added later if it is viable,” the DRM said, adding the trains would run along this line only during the day as suitable facilities are yet to be established to ensure train services at night.