Thousands of rural passengers willing to travel short distances  on trains would get respite  ahead of the popular festival holi as railways have decided to operate passenger trains after a gap of around a year. The public and political leaders had been demanding operation of passenger trains since the government had started operation of long distance trains.

The growing demand finally resulted into announcement of operation of four  sets of passenger trains including Asansol- Varanasi passenger from both ways ,Asansol - Gaya from both ways, Barkakana- Gomoh -Asansol and Asansol- Gomoh passenger trains from March14and 15.

The decision would help passengers of small stations willing to travel to respective destinations.The railways also has decided to operate Dhanbad -Sindri passenger once it gets a MEMU rack .This train too would be extended upto Gomoh Junction once its got the aforementioned rack, according to railway authorities.

The Varanasi -Asansol   up and down passànger trains  would help the common mass  of West Bengal, JHARKHAND ,Bihar and some parts of UP in reaching different locations at comparatively low cost.

The operation  of all the trains were suspended with announcements of lockdown in March 2020.

Divisional PRO PK Mishra said , though trains would return on tracks, people would have to abide by the Covind  norms while travelling on these trains. The railways would also start booking counters at different stations for passenger continence, he added.

The decision to start operation has been hailed by different organisations including the commerce associations besides daily passengers association.