The East Central Railway has strengthened the rail connectivity in Bihar’s Kosi and Seemanchal regions by linking rural areas directly to the national capital. During the 2025-26 period, the railway network expanded significantly with new train services starting from Laukaha Bazar, Lalitgram, and Raghopur for Delhi and Patna. Special trains are also operating from Hasanpur Road and Purnia Court to improve travel options for regional passengers.
👉: Vaishali Train Accident Averted as Loco Pilot Stops Train at Open Railway Gate, Gatekeeper Suspended।
Major Upgrades and New Train Services
Several railway stations in the Samastipur division have been upgraded to junction status to handle increasing traffic and improve connectivity. Supaul station has become a junction due to its connectivity with three lines including Araria and Saharsa. Saraigarh, Hasanpur Road, Sitamarhi, Kakraghatti, and Shisho have also received junction status as of March 15, 2026. A new regular train service between Laukaha Bazar and Patna is scheduled to begin operations in January 2026.
The connectivity to Delhi has been a primary focus with Purnia Court starting a new train service to Anand Vihar. Train number 17326 will depart every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday starting from March 15, 2026. Additionally, a new daily express train between Patna and Rajgir will start service on April 6, 2026, departing Patna at 09:20 AM and reaching Rajgir by 12:45 PM.
Infrastructure Projects and Budget Allocation
The Ministry of Railways has allocated significant funds for new rail line projects across the state to reduce travel distances and improve regional logistics. The East Central Railway has released ₹511 crore for the Muzaffarpur-Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur-Katra-Janakpur Road projects. The 67 km Muzaffarpur-Darbhanga line aims to reduce the current 91 km distance between the two cities. Detailed project costs and updates are listed below.
| Project Name | Type | Budget/Cost Allocated |
|---|---|---|
| Muzaffarpur-Darbhanga | New Rail Line | ₹282.30 Crore |
| Muzaffarpur-Katra-Janakpur Road | New Rail Line | ₹229.05 Crore |
| Nawada-Laxmipur | New Rail Line | ₹621.57 Crore |
| Kursela-Bihariganj | New Rail Line | ₹170.8 Crore |
| Bikramshila-Kataria | Ganga Bridge & Line | ₹2549.17 Crore |
| Darbhanga-Saharsa | Proposed Line | ₹2376 Crore |
Furthermore, a survey for the 92 km long Bihariganj-Birpur rail line has been completed. The railway is also working on a significant project to connect Delhi and Kathmandu via Raxaul, which includes the construction of 13 new stations. This project aims to reduce travel time between the two capitals by several hours once completed.
