Patna : The Indian Railways is set to introduce six new trains from Bihar this year, including a sleeper version of the Vande Bharat Express and a fast passenger service. According to railway sources, these trains will operate on some of the busiest routes, aiming to ease the persistent demand for tickets. Among the proposed routes are Patna to Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Additionally, a fast passenger train is expected to run between Patna and Gaya, offering relief to daily commuters.
Expansion to Ease Passenger Load
The new services are likely to operate from Patna’s Rajendra Nagar Terminal and Danapur Station. The sleeper version of the Vande Bharat Express, connecting Patna and New Delhi, is expected to be launched this year. Railway officials have confirmed that a proposal to run long-distance trains on routes connecting Pune, Bengaluru, Secunderabad, and New Delhi has been submitted to the Railway Board.
Addressing Ticket Shortages
With frequent shortages of confirmed tickets, particularly on these high-demand routes, the addition of new trains is expected to provide much-needed relief. During festive seasons, the situation worsens, with passengers often facing chaos despite the introduction of special trains. Railway sources suggest that two of the new trains will connect Bihar to South India, helping to mitigate congestion.
Infrastructure Upgrades Underway
To complement the expansion, work is progressing under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, aimed at upgrading infrastructure and increasing capacity across the East Central Railway zone. Efforts are also underway to increase the number of Namo Bharat and fast passenger services in the near future.
Speed Enhancements on Key Routes
In a bid to improve efficiency, senior officials are conducting weekly inspections on the Patna-Gaya and Patna-DDU (Deen Dayal Upadhyay) routes. Track repairs are ongoing, with an eye on increasing the average speed of trains over the next three to four months. Currently, even the Vande Bharat Express is operating at a limited speed on these routes, but improvements are expected soon.
