The challenge of securing a confirmed train ticket is particularly acute for those traveling to Bihar, especially during festivals and special occasions. Ticket scarcity is a persistent problem on certain routes, making it often impossible to get a reservation. Even with updated regulations, obtaining a ticket from the waiting list can be difficult. To alleviate these issues, the Railways has announced the operation of several new trains, promising improved travel options for Bihar-bound passengers.
The Railway Ministry claims these new services will significantly benefit the general public. However, the announcements also carry potential political weight. In recent months, the Railways has introduced a number of new trains. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary jointly flagged off seven trains from Patna Junction railway station on September 29th, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains. Besides, a Namo Bharat train and over a dozen Vande Bharat trains are currently operating in Bihar.
Why the Increased Focus on Bihar?
Earlier this year, the Railway Ministry authorized the operation of 12,000 trains for the Chhath and Diwali seasons. Considering the approaching assembly elections in Bihar after Chhath, the recent announcements raise questions regarding their timing.
Amrit Bharat Trains in Bihar
While Amrit Bharat trains have been recently launched nationwide, Bihar stands to gain the most. The Amrit Bharat Express, known for its popularity among the middle class and general public, currently has 12 operating services across the country, with 10 trains originating from Bihar. The arrival of three additional Amrit Bharat Express trains will increase the total number to 15, with 13 serving Bihar.
New Train Routes
In response to public demand, Ashwini Vaishnaw initiated passenger train services for Patna-Buxar, Jhajha-Danapur, Patna-Islamabad, and Sheikhpura-Barbigaha via Nawada. The Patna-Islamabad and Nawada-Patna passenger trains will utilize the newly established Jat Dumri-Fazilchak-Topsarathua-Daniawan line, improving access to rail services for the area’s residents.
Additional Amrit Bharat Services
Ashwini Vaishnaw has provided three new Amrit Bharat Express trains for the people of Bihar: one from Muzaffarpur to Chrlapalli near Hyderabad, another from Darbhanga to Madar Junction near Ajmer, and a third from Chhapra to Anand Vihar Terminal. The Muzaffarpur to Chrlapalli Amrit Bharat Express will be the first Amrit Bharat train from Muzaffarpur to South India, and the Chhapra-Anand Vihar Amrit Bharat Express will be the sixth Amrit Bharat train from Bihar to Delhi.
* Train No. 15293/15294 Muzaffarpur-Chrlapalli-Muzaffarpur Amrit Bharat Express (Weekly) – This express will serve stations including Hajipur, Patliputra, Ara, Buxar, DDU, Prayagraj Chheoki, Jabalpur, Itarsi, Nagpur, and Kazipet.
* Train No. 19623/19624 Madar-Darbhanga-Madar Amrit Bharat Express (Weekly) – This express will operate via Kamtaul, Sitamarhi, Raxaul, Narkatiaganj, Gorakhpur, Gomti Nagar, Kanpur, Tundla, and Jaipur.
* Train No. 15133/15134 Chhapra-Anand Vihar-Chhapra Amrit Bharat Express (Twice a Week) – This express will run via Siwan, Thawe, Kaptanganj, Gorakhpur, Basti, Gonda, Aishbagh (Lucknow), and Kanpur.
* Train No. 75271/75272 Nawada-Patna-Nawada DEMU Passenger – This passenger train will operate six days a week, excluding Sundays, via Sheikhpura, Barbigaha, Asthawan, Bihar Sharif, Nursaray, Daniawan, Topsarathua, Fazilchak, Jatdumri, and Punpun.
* Train No. 75273/75274 Islampur-Patna-Islampur DEMU Passenger – This passenger train will operate six days a week, excluding Sundays, via Punpun, Jatdumri, Fazilchak, Topsarathua, Daniawan, and Hilsa.
* Train No. 53201/53202 Patna-Buxar-Patna Fast Passenger – This passenger train will operate six days a week, excluding Sundays, via Danapur and Ara.
* Train No. 53203/53204 Jhajha-Danapur-Jhajha Fast Passenger – This passenger train will operate six days a week, excluding Sundays, via Jamui, Kiul, Mokama, Bakhtiyarpur, and Fatuha.
These Other 15 Express Trains
* Darbhanga-Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express
* Saharsa-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Amrit Bharat Express
* Rajendranagar Terminal-New Delhi Amrit Bharat Express
* Bapudham Motihari-Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express
* Darbhanga-Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Express
* Malda Town-Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Express
* Sitamarhi-Delhi Amrit Bharat Express
* Gaya-Delhi Amrit Bharat Express
* Jogbani-Erode-Jogbani Amrit Bharat Express
* Saharsa-Chheharta (Amritsar)-Saharsa Amrit Bharat Express
* Malda Town-Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express
* Brahmapur-Udhna (Surat) Amrit Bharat Express
* Muzaffarpur-Chrlapalli Amrit Bharat Express (Starting September 29)
* Chhapra-Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal) Amrit Bharat Express (Starting September 29)
* Darbhanga-Madar (Ajmer) Amrit Bharat Express (Starting September 29)