South East Central Railway has announced the operation of a special train service between Durg and Raigarh to cater to the heavy rush of passengers during the festival of Raksha Bandhan. To address overcrowding in routine trains and the severe scarcity of confirmed accommodation, this special service will run on August 27, 28, and 29 in both directions. The initiative aims to provide convenient and hassle-free travel for thousands of commuters visiting family and relatives during the festive season.
Major Relief for Commuters Across Bilaspur and Raigarh Divisions
During peak festival periods, passenger footfall surges dramatically, making it extremely difficult to secure train tickets or even find space in general coaches. In this context, the introduction of the Raksha Bandhan special train comes as a major benefit to commuters across the Raigarh and Bilaspur railway divisions. To ensure broader accessibility, the train will make scheduled halts at major intermediate stations along the route, including Bilaspur, Champa, Sakti, and Kharsia. This will directly assist passengers from smaller towns and halt locations along the rail corridor.
Detailed Schedule and Departure Timings From Durg and Raigarh
According to the official schedule released by the railway administration, the special train departing from Durg towards Raigarh will start its journey at 10:30 AM and reach Raigarh by 7:00 PM on the same day.
On the return journey, the train will depart from Raigarh at 7:40 PM and arrive at Durg late at night at 2:00 AM (early morning of the next day). This daytime run for the onward leg and evening return timing has been strategically planned to benefit short-distance travelers and festival commuters.
10-Coach Rake Composition and Unreserved Seating Advantage
Keeping in mind the needs of daily commuters and short-distance passengers, the Raksha Bandhan special train consists of a total of 10 coaches. The rake configuration comprises 8 General unreserved category coaches and 2 SLRD (Second Class Luggage Rake with Guard's Van) coaches.
With a majority of General category coaches in the train, non-reserved passengers will be able to purchase tickets directly from station counters and travel immediately without facing waitlisted ticket hassles. This operation will ensure smoother travel for thousands of brothers and sisters traveling along the Durg, Bilaspur, and Raigarh route, significantly reducing waiting times at stations during the festive period.
