Patna: To manage the anticipated surge in travel during the summer vacation period, Indian Railways has announced the operation of multiple special trains across key long-distance routes, including new services between Barauni and Pottanur (Coimbatore), Patna and Ernakulam, and Dhanbad and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Mumbai.
From April 26 to May 24, the Pottanur–Barauni Special (Train No. 06055) will depart every Saturday at 11.50am from Pottanur, reaching Barauni by 2.30pm on Monday. The return leg, Train No. 06056, will depart Barauni every Tuesday at 11.45pm from April 29 to May 27, arriving in Pottanur on Friday morning. This service will pass through Kiul, Dhanbad, Ranchi, Rourkela, and Katpadi.
Similarly, the Ernakulam–Patna Special (Train No. 06085) will run every Friday at 11pm from April 25 to May 30, arriving in Patna by 3.30am on Monday. The return journey, Train No. 06086, will leave Patna every Monday at 11.45pm from April 28 to June 2, reaching Ernakulam on Thursday morning. The route includes Mokama, Asansol, Bhubaneswar, and Kharagpur.
To accommodate high demand on the Dhanbad-Mumbai corridor, two pairs of specials will operate:
- Train No. 03327 (Dhanbad–Lokmanya Tilak) departs every Saturday from April 26 to June 28 at 8am, reaching Mumbai by Sunday evening. The return service, Train No. 03328, runs Sundays from April 27 to June 29 at 8pm, reaching Dhanbad on Tuesday morning.
- Train No. 03379 leaves Dhanbad at 10.30pm every Tuesday (April 22 to June 24), arriving Thursday morning. The return train, No. 03380, leaves Mumbai Thursdays at 10am (April 24 to June 26), arriving Dhanbad Friday night.
All four services are expected to provide significant relief for travellers heading home or on vacation during peak summer travel season.
