Samastipur, 21 April (IANS). The state’s first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail (Vande Metro) between Jayanagar to Patna will be inaugurated on 24 April to give a new speed to the rail journey in Bihar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off this train at a function held in Jhanjharpur, Madhubani. Along with this state-of-the-art train, two new passenger trains will also be launched between Amrit Bharat Express and Saharsa-Alauli and Bethan-Samastipur between Saharsa-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (Mumbai). The railway administration has completed all preparations for these services and has released the official schedule.
Vinay Srivastava, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Samastipur Railway Division, said that Namo Bharat Rapid Rail will run from Jayanagar to Patna via Samastipur, Darbhanga, Sakri, Madhubani, Barauni, Mokama and Bakhtiyarpur. The train will leave from Jayanagar on April 24 at 11:40 am and will arrive at Madhubani (12:25 pm), Sakri (12:55 pm), Darbhanga (13:40 pm), Samastipur (15:00 pm), Barauni (16:15 pm), Mokama (17:15 pm) and Patna will arrive at Patna at 18:30 pm. This train will run six days a week and will cover the distance in just 4 hours 50 minutes, which is much lower than the current 6-7 hours.
DRM said that it would be a fully air -conditioned train with 16 coaches, which will have modern coaches like metro. It will have facilities such as armor security system, CCTV, automatic doors, high-speed Wi-Fi, USB charging points, vacuum toilets and ergonomic seats. This train is capable of running at a speed of 160 km/h and can carry more than 2,000 passengers.
On the same day, Amrit Bharat Express will also start operating between Saharsa to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (Mumbai). The non-vast train will leave from Saharsa at 11:40 am and reach Mumbai at 23:30 pm the next day via Samastipur (15:00 pm), Muzaffarpur, Patna, Danapur. The train will have 11 general coaches, eight sleeper coaches, two disabled coaches, luggage vans and guard vans. This train will be convenient for migrant workers, students and professionals of Bihar.
Also, two new passenger trains will start between Saharsa-Alauli and Bethan-Samastipur. Saharsa-Alauli train will leave Aloli at 11:40 am and reach Saharsa at 14:10 pm. At the same time, the Bethan-Samastipur train will leave Bethan at 11:40 am and reach Samastipur at 13:50 pm via Hasanpur, Rusera Ghat, Narhan, Angar Ghat, Bhagwanpur, Desua. There is a wave of happiness among the local people with the announcement of train services.
DRM Srivastava said that these new trains will increase connectivity, employment, education and business opportunities in the northern region of Bihar. Namo Bharat Rapid Rail is considered a milestone in Bihar’s rail infrastructure, which will speed up the development of the region by connecting Mithilanchal to Patna.
-IANS
AKS/CBT