Expansion of rail projects in Narkatiaganj. photo awakening
Jagran correspondent, Narkatiaganj (West Champaran). The year 2025 brought many new achievements for the rail transport of Narkatiaganj and the district, while some plans still could not gain momentum. A big gift was received under the Amrit Bharat Scheme of the Railway Ministry and more than half a dozen new trains started operating via Narkatiaganj. This has provided better facilities to passengers in long distance travel.
This year the district got the gift of five Amrit Bharat trains via Narkatiaganj. Mother Amrit Bharat Express started operating from Darbhanga, which is going beyond Jaipur to Mother Junction. Whereas the second Amrit Bharat Express is operating from Darbhanga to Anand Vihar Terminal via Narkatiaganj.
Gomtinagar Amrit Bharat Express, Amrit Bharat Express from Saharsa to Chhaharta beyond Amritsar and Amrit Bharat Express from Sitamarhi to Delhi also started operating. Apart from this, Amrit Bharat train started from Bapudham Motihari to Anand Vihar Terminal.
Vande Bharat Express, which is considered to be the pride of trains in the railway sector, also started operating from Gorakhpur to Patliputra, which benefited the passengers of Narkatiaganj area. The operation of passenger trains has increased compared to last year. Many passenger trains closed during the Covid period were restarted this year.
Beautification of new platform and junction
Under Amrit Bharat Yojana, the work of beautification of Narkatiaganj Junction and construction of new platform started, but the platform is still incomplete. Considering the number of passengers, the main entrance on the north side could not be constructed yet. However, construction of foot over bridge has been completed to connect all the platforms.
A 100 meter long and six meter wide foot over bridge was constructed at the junction, which is considered to be the longest foot over bridge so far. The railway station which was under construction for a long time has been shifted to the new building located in the station premises. After the gauge conversion, the operation of trains started from Narkatiaganj to Gaunaha, but the people of Tharuhat area are not getting the expected benefits from the train timetable in this railway section.
Due to lack of gauge conversion from Gaunaha to Bhikhanathori, people of Bhikhanathori border area are deprived of rail service. This year has been a year of rail development for Narkatiaganj, but some incomplete schemes are still waiting for completion.
People deprived of government bus travel
The bus service of Bihar State Road Transport Corporation, started from Narkatiaganj to Patna, could not be restored even in the year 2025. After a long wait of the people, operation of two non-AC buses started on 25 October 2023. It was inaugurated by the then Bihar government minister Shravan Kumar and Valmikinagar MP Sunil Kumar.
The aim of the government was to provide relief to the common people from the expensive fares of private buses. But after just eight months, the operation of both the buses was stopped citing losses. Social activist Krishna Paswan said that businessmen and passengers are facing problems due to closure of bus service. People are still hoping for cheap and safe travel.