With the Bhavnath Mahashivratri fair set to kick off in Junagadh, Gujarat, the State Transport (ST) Corporation is prepared for the influx of pilgrims by scheduling over 7,800 bus trips during the five-day event. This annual fair, often dubbed the ‘Mini Kumbh Mela’, draws devotees from Gujarat and neighboring areas. Last year, approximately 2.91 lakh passengers utilized ST services during the fair.
To accommodate the expected increase in passengers to nearly 3.7 lakh this year, the corporation has bolstered its capacity by deploying 195 additional buses. A significant focus will be on the Junagadh bus station to Girnar foothills route, with 80 extra buses operating daily during the fair to aid pilgrims heading to Bhavnath for darshan. Moreover, 115 express buses will enhance inter-district connectivity for devotees arriving from nearby areas.
Ensuring passenger safety and punctuality are top priorities, all buses during the Mahashivratri fair will be closely monitored through a 24×7 GPS tracking system. This real-time supervision will enable swift responses to operational issues, maintaining smooth transport services throughout the fair. The ST Corporation’s meticulous planning aims to efficiently manage the pilgrimage rush and provide organized transport services during one of Junagadh’s major annual religious events.
