Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the Dohrighat-Aunrihar passenger train, set to extend to Varanasi soon, improving rail connectivity in Uttar Pradesh’s Purvanchal region. The minister, speaking via video conference, also revealed plans for a new express train along the northern Ganga corridor to enhance connectivity to Delhi from Purvanchal.
The new train will link Chhapra, Ballia, Mau, Azamgarh, Shahganj, Jaunpur, Sultanpur, Lucknow, Kanpur, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, and Anand Vihar, catering to various commuters. Extending the Dohrighat-Aunrihar service to Varanasi will offer direct access to the cultural and commercial center, benefiting daily travelers, students, traders, and pilgrims.
Operating with an eight-coach rake, the train aims to provide comfortable travel for passengers. Vaishnaw highlighted the historical significance of the Indara-Dohrighat line, converted to broad gauge after more than a century, following initiatives under PM Modi’s tenure. Uttar Pradesh witnessed a substantial increase in railway budget allocations post-2014, with ongoing projects totaling around Rs 1.2 lakh crore.
Major railway infrastructure projects are underway in Uttar Pradesh, including the development of four-line corridors both south and north of the Ganga river. Additionally, a new bridge near Varanasi is being constructed to accommodate railway lines and a highway, promising significant improvements to the state’s railway network and the potential operation of 500 new trains.
