Rs.1.2 lcr rail projects currently underway across UP
Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw work is progressing rapidly on the Bullet Train Corridor in Uttar Pradesh which will have a network connecting Delhi – Lucknow – Varanasi – Patna – Siliguri, and would strengthen connectivity with the Ashta Lakshmi states of the Northeast.
He assured that the bullet train would remain affordable to the middle class and ordinary citizens, and would serve as a strong foundation for a developed India.
The travel time would be:
Delhi–Agra: 58 minutes; Delhi–Lucknow: 2 hours 12 minutes; Delhi–Varanasi: 3 hours 33 minutes; Delhi–Ayodhya: 2 hours 47 minutes; Lucknow–Prayagraj: 48 minutes; Lucknow–Varanasi: 1 hour 21 minutes; Lucknow–Ayodhya: 35 minutes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the Bullet Train Corridor for Uttar Pradesh in this year’s Budget.
New Express Train connecting Purvanchal & Delhi
Responding to a long-standing demand for better Delhi connectivity from the Purvanchal region, Vaishnaw also announced a new express train to be introduced through the northern Ganga corridor. The train will connect Chhapra – Ballia – Mau – Azamgarh – Shahganj – Jaunpur – Sultanpur – Lucknow – Kanpur – Aligarh – Ghaziabad – Anand Vihar.
“The new express train service would be started soon,” said the Minister, giving an update on the projects as he virtually flagged off Dohrighat – Aunrihar Passenger Train via video conferencing on 11 May.
“This marks a significant step towards enhancing rail connectivity and passenger convenience in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh. The new train service has been introduced keeping in view the convenience of rail passengers and the long-standing demand for direct daily connectivity for the people of Mau and Ghazipur districts,” said Vaishnaw.
Aunrihar–Dohrighat–Aunrihar Passenger Train
The train will halt at Sadat, Jakhanian, Dullahapur, Mau, Indara, Kopaganj, Ghosi, Amila and Muradpur stations. The train will be extended upto Varanasi soon.
The train will operate with an 8-coach rake comprising passenger coaches designed to provide comfortable and convenient travel for daily commuters and other passengers on the route.
Passenger Train Service to be Extended up to Varanasi
Making a significant announcement, Shri Vaishnaw stated that the newly introduced Aunrihar–Dohrighat–Aunrihar passenger service would be extended up to Varanasi. The extension will provide direct connectivity to the cultural and commercial hub of Varanasi, benefiting daily commuters, students, traders and pilgrims, while further strengthening rail access across eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Benefits of the New Train Service
The new train service will provide direct, affordable, safe, and comfortable daily rail travel to passengers of Mau, Ghazipur and surrounding areas. The train will directly benefit residents of towns and villages along the Aunrihar–Dohrighat corridor. The service will support tourism, local trade, education and employment, and is expected to fulfil a long-pending demand of the people of the region.
He added that railway projects worth around Rs.1.2 lakh crore are currently underway across Uttar Pradesh, a scale of railway development unprecedented in the state’s history.
Key Infrastructure Projects Underway
Vaishnaw outlined a series of major railway infrastructure projects progressing in Uttar Pradesh. He said that south of the Ganga, a major four-line corridor had been developed along the Prayagraj–Kanpur–Agra–Delhi route. Similarly, a massive four-line railway corridor is being developed north of the Ganga, connecting Delhi via Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Bareilly, Sitapur, Gonda and Gorakhpur towards Bihar and the Northeast.
The Minister listed the following new line and doubling projects currently in progress in the region:
Chitauni–Tamkuhi Road new line; Anand Nagar–Ghughli new line; Sahjanwa–Dohrighat new line; Bahraich–Khalilabad New Line; Gorakhpur–Valmiki Nagar doubling; Burhwal–Gonda third line; Katra–Ayodhya doubling; Aunrihar-Varanasi 3rd Line; Mathura–Jhansi third line; Agra Fort–Bandikui doubling; Chopan–Chunar doubling; and Prayagraj–Manikpur third line.
Vaishnaw also informed that the old Malviya Bridge at Varanasi is ageing, and therefore a new bridge is being constructed alongside it, carrying four railway lines on the lower deck and a six-lane highway above. The under-construction bridge is located near Namo Ghat over the Ganga. Shri Vaishnaw said these projects would completely transform Uttar Pradesh’s railway map and enable the operation of at least 500 new trains in the future.
He informed that 157 Amrit Bharat stations are being developed in Uttar Pradesh, with work already completed at 28 stations. In the Purvanchal region, redevelopment work is underway at Mau, Ghazipur City and Dildarnagar stations.
The Minister also announced that construction of underpasses at locations 14C, 25C and 27C would be taken up at a fast pace. He directed railway officials to complete the work in record time. Fiinews.com
