Junagadh: The State Transport (ST) Corporation has announced a comprehensive transport plan for the upcoming Bhavnath Mahashivratri Fair, which will be held in Junagadh over the next five days starting tomorrow. To facilitate the movement of lakhs of devotees expected to attend the annual religious gathering, the corporation will operate 195 additional buses, managing more than 7,800 extra trips during the fair period.
With a target to serve over 3.70 lakh passengers, the ST department has significantly expanded its capacity compared to last year, when approximately 2.91 lakh pilgrims availed the transport services during the fair.
Often referred to as a ‘Mini Kumbh Mela’, the Bhavnath Mahashivratri Fair draws massive crowds of Shiva devotees from across Gujarat and neighboring states. This year’s fair is expected to be one of the grandest and most historic editions, prompting authorities to strengthen transport and crowd management arrangements.
- 195 additional buses to operate during the fair
- 7,800+ extra trips planned
- Transport facility for over 3.70 lakh passengers
- 80 extra daily buses between Junagadh Bus Station and Girnar Taleti
- 115 inter-district express buses for devotees from other districts
For inter-district connectivity, a total of 115 express buses will be deployed — including 65 buses from Junagadh Division and 50 buses from other divisions — to ensure smooth travel for devotees arriving from surrounding districts.
To enhance safety and punctuality, all buses operating during the fair will be monitored round-the-clock through a 24×7 GPS tracking system.
Officials stated that the well-planned transport arrangements will ensure that devotees can travel comfortably and safely to seek blessings at the Bhavnath Temple and participate in the Mahashivratri celebrations without inconvenience.
The ST Corporation’s proactive planning is expected to play a crucial role in managing the massive influx of pilgrims and ensuring a smooth and organized fair experience.
