Railways Adds Temporary 5-Minute Halts for 18 Express Trains at Maihar for Navratri West Central Railway has introduced special 5-minute halts for 9 pairs of express and mail trains at Maihar station to assist pilgrims visiting Maa Sharda Dham during Navratri. In a major passenger-friendly initiative for the Shardiya Navratri fair, West Central Railway has announced temporary stoppages for 9 pairs of express and mail trains at Maihar railway station in Madhya Pradesh. This decision is aimed at easing the journey of hundreds of thousands of devotees traveling from across India to visit the renowned Maa Sharda Dham. The temporary 5-minute halts came into effect on 10 October 2026 and will remain operational throughout the festive fair duration, providing direct connectivity to the pilgrimage town. Seamless Access for Inter-State Pilgrims During the Navratri festival, large crowds of pilgrims travel to Maihar from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Without direct train halts, travelers previously had to disembark at intermediate stations such as Katni or Satna and make onward journeys via taxis, private buses, or local transport. With these 18 trains now halting directly at Maihar, pilgrims originating from distant metros including Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Chennai, and Bengaluru can complete their journey without the fatigue and expense of switching transit modes. Importance of the Extended 5-Minute Halt At non-terminal stations, express services typically observe brief halts lasting approximately 2 minutes. Given the massive footfall during the fair, railway authorities have expanded the stop duration to a full 5 minutes. This buffer ensures that elderly passengers, families with young children, and passengers carrying heavy luggage have sufficient time to board and alight safely, reducing platform rush and eliminating stampede risks. Full Schedule and Dates of Trains Halting at Maihar The operational timetable for the 18 trains stopping at Maihar station includes the following services in both directions • Train 11055 Godan Express: Scheduled to halt at 03:10 and depart at 03:15 from 11 to 21 October. • Train 11056 Godan Express: Halts at 20:25 and departs at 20:30 between 11 and 21 October. • Train 11059 Mumbai LTT - Chhapra Express: Halts from 03:10 to 03:15 between 10 and 20 October. • Train 11060 Chhapra - Mumbai LTT Express: Halts from 20:25 to 20:30 between 12 and 22 October. • Train 12669 Ganga Kaveri Express: Stops at 20:50 and departs at 20:55 from 10 to 19 October. • Train 12670 Ganga Kaveri Express: Halts at 07:25 and departs at 07:30 from 12 to 21 October. • Train 19051 Shramik Express: Halts from 15:05 to 15:10 between 10 and 17 October. • Train 19052 Shramik Express: Halts from 11:40 to 11:45 between 12 and 19 October. • Train 15268 Mumbai LTT - Raxaul Antyodaya Express: Arrives at 10:40 and departs at 10:45 from 12 to 19 October. • Train 15267 Raxaul - Mumbai LTT Antyodaya Express: Halts at 11:25 and departs at 11:30 between 10 and 17 October. • Train 18201 Durg - Nautanwa Express: Halts from 05:35 to 05:40 between 14 and 21 October. • Train 18202 Nautanwa - Durg Express: Stops at 01:55 and departs at 02:00 from 11 to 18 October. • Train 11037 Pune - Gorakhpur Express: Operates a stop from 11:05 to 11:10 on 15 October only. • Train 11038 Gorakhpur - Pune Express: Halts from 04:20 to 04:25 between 10 and 17 October. • Train 22103 Mumbai LTT - Ayodhya Cantt Superfast Express: Halts at 06:45 and departs at 06:50 from 12 to 19 October. • Train 22104 Ayodhya Cantt - Mumbai LTT Superfast Express: Stops at 08:50 and departs at 08:55 from 13 to 20 October. • Train 19045 Tapti Ganga Express: Halts at 02:00 and departs at 02:05 between 11 and 21 October. • Train 19046 Tapti Ganga Express: Arrives at 22:40 and departs at 22:45 between 11 and 21 October. Helpline and Schedule Verification Passengers planning their journey can verify train updates, platform details, and live schedules by calling the Rail Madad helpline at 139 or checking the official national railway enquiry web portal. What this means for you Devotees traveling to Maa Sharda Dham during Navratri now have direct railway access without the need for inter-station transfers. • Across India: Pilgrims traveling from major metropolitan centres such as Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Chennai, and Bengaluru gain direct connectivity to Maihar. The 18 express halts remove the need to take connecting road transit from distant railheads. • In Maihar and Madhya Pradesh: Passenger congestion at neighbouring transit junctions like Katni and Satna will be significantly reduced. The extended 5-minute halt offers adequate boarding and deboarding time for elderly pilgrims and families. • Travel Planning: The temporary halts remain valid from 10 October 2026 throughout the festive fair period. Devotees can cross-check precise stoppage times via helpline 139 before undertaking their journey. • Cost Savings: Passengers avoid paying expensive taxi and private bus fares between neighboring railway junctions and the temple town. Direct arrivals streamline local logistics for all incoming pilgrims. Why this happened The decision was implemented to manage heavy passenger rush during the annual Shardiya Navratri fair at Maihar Dham. • Surge in Pilgrim Numbers: Thousands of devotees travel from several states across India to visit Maa Sharda Dham during Navratri. Regular rail schedules are insufficient to handle this festive surge without dedicated halts. • Transit Inconvenience: Most long-distance mail and express services bypass Maihar under normal timetables. Devotees previously had to disembark at Katni or Satna and travel by road to reach the shrine. • Crowd Safety: Standard 2-minute stops pose safety hazards when platforms are crowded with families and luggage. Extending the halt to 5 minutes allows safe alighting and boarding, preventing accidental stampedes. Questions & Answers 1. How many trains have been granted temporary halts at Maihar station? West Central Railway has provided temporary halts for 9 pairs, totaling 18 express and mail trains, at Maihar station. 2. What is the duration of the train halt at Maihar? Each of the 18 trains will halt for 5 minutes instead of the standard 2-minute stop. 3. When does this special arrangement take effect and how long will it last? The temporary stoppages began on 10 October 2026 and will remain active until the end of the Navratri fair. 4. How can passengers check the exact timetable and train status? Passengers can dial the Rail Madad helpline at 139 or visit the official national railway enquiry website. https://trendkia.com/en/travel/maa-sharda-dhama-jane-vale-yatriyon-ke-lie-maihar-steshana-para-rukengi-18-eksapresa-trenen-46799 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.