Patna: A proposal to extend the Ahmedabad–Patna Amrit Bharat Express to Bhagalpur is under consideration, with India’s railways minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, directing officials to prepare a feasibility report on the plan.
The move is expected to benefit passengers in Bihar, particularly in Bhagalpur district, where residents have long called for improved rail connectivity. According to officials, a final decision will be taken after the report is reviewed by the Railway Board.
The proposal follows representations by Ashutosh Kumar, a former district council member, who has been advocating for the extension. Railway authorities have acknowledged the request and initiated preliminary steps.
Both Eastern Railway and East Central Railway have already given their consent in principle, potentially smoothing the way for the route’s expansion.
Kumar recently met Indu Dubey, principal chief operations manager of East Central Railway, urging that the feasibility report be submitted without delay. Dubey is reported to have assured that the process would be expedited.
If approved, the extension is expected to improve direct rail access from Bhagalpur and neighbouring districts such as Munger and Lakhisarai to cities including Ratlam, Kota, Sawai Madhopur and Agra. The service is likely to be particularly beneficial for students and middle-income travellers, many of whom rely on rail transport for education and work-related travel.
Kumar welcomed the development and thanked Vaishnaw, as well as Rajiv Ranjan Singh, the union minister and MP from Munger, describing the proposal as a step towards improving regional connectivity and public transport infrastructure.
