Ashwini Vaishnaw Flags Off Chhapra-Anand Vihar Train, Says Bihar To Get 200 New Trains
Railway minister announces major train expansion plan for Bihar.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday inaugurated a new weekly train service connecting Chhapra Junction in Bihar with Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi, while announcing an ambitious railway expansion plan that will see Bihar receive more than 200 new trains over the next seven to eight years.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Saran MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Maharajganj MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal, and other public representatives. During the event, Vaishnaw also virtually flagged off two additional train services connecting Maul with Delhi and Zahirghat with Varanasi, aimed at improving regional rail connectivity.
Addressing the gathering, the Railway Minister said Bihar is undergoing unprecedented railway development, with infrastructure projects worth more than ₹1.15 lakh crore currently being implemented across the state. He stated that increased budgetary support under the Narendra Modi government has accelerated the modernisation and expansion of the railway network, benefiting both passengers and freight transportation.
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Vaishnaw also revealed that the proposed Delhi–Varanasi–Patna bullet train corridor has received approval. According to him, the high-speed rail project is expected to reduce travel time between Patna and Delhi to approximately 4 hours and 41 minutes once operational. He added that there are plans to extend the corridor further to Siliguri, enhancing connectivity across eastern India.
Highlighting Bihar’s growing contribution to railway manufacturing, the minister said locomotives produced at the Marhaura Diesel Locomotive Factory are now being exported internationally. He noted that four locomotives were shipped to Guinea last year and that a major agreement to supply 140 locomotives has been signed under a ₹3,000-crore export project, with deliveries scheduled over the next three years.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said Bihar is progressing rapidly in infrastructure, industry, and information technology. He announced that two airports are being developed in Chhapra and that the state government plans to establish 10 Green Cities. Meanwhile, MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy described the new Chhapra–Delhi train as the fulfilment of a long-standing demand, saying it will significantly improve travel convenience for residents of Saran and neighbouring districts.
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