The ordeal of 106 Nagpur pilgrims stranded in flood-ravaged Nepal is finally set to end, with the group expected to reach Nagpur on Sunday morning after a multi-State rescue effort coordinated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The pilgrims, who had been trapped in Nepal after devastating floods and landslides disrupted transport networks and left them without accommodation or travel options, have successfully returned to India and are now travelling to Nagpur by train from Patna. Chief Minister Fadnavis personally intervened to ensure the safe evacuation of the group and arranged railway tickets for all 106 passengers from Patna to Nagpur. The coordinated operation involved authorities in both Nepal and India and came after repeated appeals from the stranded travellers.

 

After leaving Kathmandu in specially arranged minibuses, the pilgrims crossed into India through the Janakpur-Sitamarhi route. On reaching Bihar, they were received by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who oversaw arrangements for their food, accommodation and onward travel. Sources said Choudhary remained in constant touch with Fadnavis throughout the operation and ensured that all necessary assistance was provided to the returning pilgrims. The Bihar Government facilitated their stay and logistics before they boarded the train number 17609 Patna - Purna Express at 7 am today, that is expected to reach Nagpur at 4.30 am on Sunday. The group had travelled to Nepal to attend a three-day Shiv Mahapuran discourse at the revered Pashupatinath Temple. Some members had also undertaken a pilgrimage to Muktinath Dham.

 

Their return journey coincided with severe flooding and landslides that damaged roads, disrupted transport services and created an acute shortage of accommodation across Nepal. At one stage, the travellers found themselves stranded in Kathmandu with no vehicles available and hotels unwilling to extend their stay because of the unfolding disaster situation. Their evacuation also faced temporary hurdles when rescue vehicles were reportedly stopped at a Nepalese checkpost due to permit-related issues. Despite these setbacks, the coordinated intervention by the Maharashtra Government, support from Nepalese authorities and assistance from the Bihar Government ensured the group's safe return. Family members in Nagpur are expected to gather at the railway station on Sunday morning to receive the pilgrims, bringing an anxious chapter to a close after days of uncertainty in a disaster-hit Nepal. Meanwhile, efforts continue to assist other Indian pilgrims stranded in the region, including a group near the Nepal-China border affected by route closures following the floods. 

 

 

The returning pilgrims celebrated the festival of Raksha Bandhan at Police Station in Sitamarhi, where the food arrangements were made for the passangers. On reaching station, the pilgrims noticed the police personnel on duty far away from home and decided to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with them. “When we noticed the police personnel away from home on Raksha Bandhan, we arranged for Rakhis from local markets and Five sisters from the group tied Rakhi’s to police personnel,” said Yogesh Gawande, one of the returning member of the group from Nagpur.