Newssuper Kolkata, 28 August, 2026:
Under the overall guidance and leadership of General Manager, Eastern Railway, Ms. Gitika Pandey, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Asansol Division, has successfully concluded its nearly month-long intensive security and passenger assistance drive conducted during Shravani Mela 2026, which commenced on 29 July 2026. Considering an average daily influx of approximately 100,000 devotees, the RPF ensured round-the-clock security arrangements at major pilgrim stations, including Jasidih, Baidyanathdham, Deoghar, and Basukinath, deploying a dedicated team of 378 RPF officers and personnel to ensure the safe, smooth, and orderly movement of pilgrims throughout the mela period.
During the event, the division registered several key operational achievements across multiple special initiatives. Under Operation Nanhe Farishte, 8 children who were separated from their families were safely rescued and reunited with their relatives or Child Welfare Officers. Under Operation Amanat, left-behind luggage was recovered in 9 instances, totaling a value of ₹1,25,500, and was safely restored to the respective passengers. Operation Sewa provided immediate assistance in 2 critical cases involving elderly and unwell devotees. In terms of passenger safety, 4 cases of passenger-related crimes were registered and 4 accused individuals were arrested. Additionally, under Operation Satark, 3 cases of illegal liquor transportation were detected, leading to the arrest of 2 individuals and the recovery of 73.170 liters of illicit liquor with an estimated value of ₹64,360.
The efforts undertaken by RPF Asansol Division during Shravani Mela 2026 demonstrate the force’s steadfast commitment to passenger safety, effective crowd management, crime prevention, and providing prompt, humane assistance to devotees. Through these coordinated and dedicated efforts, RPF Asansol Division achieved significant success in delivering a safe, seamless, and hassle-free pilgrimage experience to millions of devotees, with Chief Public Relations Officer, Eastern Railway, Shri Shibram Majhi stating, “The exemplary dedication shown by our RPF personnel ensured a smooth, safe, and comfortable journey for millions of pilgrims throughout Shravani Mela 2026, setting a benchmark for passenger welfare and crowd management.”
