Chief Minister and Railway Minister Start Nepalganj Road-Nanpara-Bahraich Broad Gauge Rail Section in a Simple Programme
Four Trains Extended to Nepalganj Road, Boosting Development in Border Areas
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath, along with Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw; Shri Jagdambika Pal, Member of Parliament from Domariyaganj; Dr. Anand Kumar Gond, Member of Parliament from Bahraich, and other dignitaries, inaugurated the gauge conversion and electrification of the Nepalganj Road-Nanpara-Bahraich rail section. The 56.15-km-long section has been converted to Broad Gauge and electrified at a cost of approximately ₹730 crore. Four existing train services were also extended up to Nepalganj Road. The programme began with a tribute to the victims of the recent floods in Nepal, with all those attending the programme observing two minutes of silence.
Expressing concern over the situation in neighbouring Nepal, the Union Minister said that India and Nepal share strong cultural ties. He expressed condolences to the families affected by the natural disaster in Nepal and said the Government of India is making every possible effort to provide assistance. Shri Vaishnaw said the Railways had also been making arrangements for passengers rescued from affected areas and reaching India. He said the Railways has arranged special coaches and other necessary facilities to help them reach their destinations. Shri Vaishnaw added that the Railway Board is working in coordination with railway zones, district and State authorities and the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate the safe movement and return of passengers affected by the situation in Nepal.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath also expressed condolences over the recent natural disaster in Nepal. He said the tragedy had affected not only the friendly nation of Nepal but also people in several countries, including India, and conveyed his condolences to the families who have lost their members in the disaster.
Nepalganj Road-Nanpara-Bahraich Section Now Integrated into the Broad Gauge Railway Network
The Nepalganj Road-Nanpara-Bahraich metre-gauge rail section was originally constructed in 1886. With the completion of gauge conversion and electrification, the section has now become an integral part of the Broad Gauge railway network, providing improved connectivity to Bahraich, Risiya, Matera, Nanpara, Babaganj and Nepalganj Road stations.
Speaking about the railway section being inaugurated, Shri Vaishnaw said the conversion of the Nepalganj Road-Nanpara-Bahraich section is now connected to the wider railway network of the country. Shri Vaishnaw said the broad-gauge conversion programme is nearing completion across the country.
Extension of Long-Distance Train Services up to Nepalganj Road
To further enhance passenger connectivity, the Ministry of Railways has approved the extension of 14213/14214 Varanasi–Bahraich Express, 15132/15131 Varanasi City–Gorakhpur Express and two pairs of 75109/75110 and 75111/75112 Gonda–Bahraich train services up to Nepalganj Road.
With these services, passengers from Nepalganj Road and adjoining areas will get direct rail connectivity to Gonda, Gorakhpur, Varanasi and other major cities. The extension fulfills a long-standing demand of the people of the region and will significantly improve access to major urban and economic centres.The enhanced connectivity will also benefit people from neighbouring Nepal, particularly those travelling to and from the border region for employment, education, healthcare, trade and other purposes.
Shri Adityanath said the inauguration of the rail section and launch of four new train services marked the realisation of a decades-old dream for the people of the region. He said the new rail connectivity would strengthen links between Bahraich, Rupaidiha and Nepalganj and provide greater convenience to people on both sides of the border.
New Opportunities for Aspirational District Bahraich
The completion of the gauge conversion project in the border area of aspirational district Bahraich is expected to give a major impetus to the region’s socio-economic development. Improved rail connectivity will facilitate greater movement of people and goods and promote trade, employment, tourism and social and cultural activities in the region.
The direct Broad Gauge connection will also provide better access to wider markets for local products and strengthen economic linkages between the border areas and major cities of Uttar Pradesh and beyond.
The improved rail infrastructure is expected to generate new opportunities for the people of the region and contribute to the overall development of Bahraich and adjoining areas.
Electrification of the rail section will enable the operation of electric locomotive-hauled trains, reducing dependence on diesel traction and helping lower carbon emissions. The initiative is aligned with Indian Railways’ efforts towards energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable railway operations.
Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said that comprehensive planning is underway to strengthen the railway network across Uttar Pradesh, particularly the Purvanchal region. He said that seven major railway networks are being strengthened through the addition of third and fourth lines wherever double lines already exist. He highlighted the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Moradabad-Sitapur-Burhwal-Gonda-Gorakhpur network serving Purvanchal and said that the Delhi to Gonda section has already been approved.
He added that a major transformation in the State's rail connectivity would come with the development of high-speed rail connectivity. Referring to the proposed high-speed rail connectivity, Shri Vaishnaw said travel times would be significantly reduced. He said the Delhi-Agra journey would take 58 minutes, Delhi-Kanpur 1 hour 45 minutes, Delhi-Lucknow 2 hours 12 minutes and Delhi-Prayagraj around three hours. He added that Delhi-Varanasi would take about three and a half hours.
Shri Vaishnaw further highlighted that the proposed connectivity would eventually extend towards Patna. He said the 1,170-km journey between Delhi and Patna could be completed in around four and a half hours. He emphasized this would allow people to travel between major cities of Uttar Pradesh and other parts of North India within much shorter timeframes.
The completion of the Nepalganj Road-Nanpara-Bahraich rail section and the extension of long-distance train services mark an important milestone in strengthening rail connectivity in the border region. The project will not only connect the region more effectively with major cities across the country but will also create new avenues for socio-economic and cultural development.
