Bhagalpur/Patna: Preparations for Shravani Mela 2026 have gathered pace in Bihar, with the railways accelerating infrastructure work at Sultanganj station, one of the main transit points for pilgrims travelling to Ajgaibinath Dham.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, railway officials said the station is being upgraded to improve crowd management and passenger convenience during the annual pilgrimage season, when lakhs of devotees arrive by train.
The upgrades include escalators and lifts on all five platforms, along with a new foot overbridge aimed at easing movement across the station.
New foot overbridge to be ready by mid-July
On Saturday, Rakesh Ranjan, chief project manager of the Malda division’s Gati Shakti Unit, inspected the ongoing construction work at the station.
Officials said he reviewed the progress of the 12-metre-wide foot overbridge (FOB) and directed the executing agency to complete the work by 15 July.
He also instructed that quality and safety standards be maintained during construction.
Work in final phase
Railway officials said foundation work has been completed across platforms 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and slab installation is now in its final stages.
Heavy iron sheets are being laid as part of the overbridge structure, with construction continuing round the clock.
Three foot overbridges to manage mela crowds
Authorities said pilgrims attending this year’s Shravan Mela will have access to three foot overbridges at the station.
The existing western FOB connects all five platforms and already has lifts operational on select platforms.
A second FOB on the eastern side currently connects platforms 1, 2 and 3 and has been extended towards Patel Nagar, reducing the need for local residents to cross railway tracks.
The new 12-metre-wide FOB will act as a central connector between escalators and is expected to improve crowd flow during peak hours.
More lifts and ramps approved
Railway sources said approval has been granted for three additional lifts, which will be added to the eastern FOB and linked across all five platforms.
A ramp connecting the FOB to the northern circulating area is also planned to improve accessibility for elderly, unwell and differently-abled passengers.
Officials said the improvements are intended to make station access safer and more efficient during one of Bihar’s busiest pilgrimage periods.
