Araria: A new chapter in the development of Bihar’s Seemanchal region will begin on 15 September when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the 110km Araria–Thakurganj–Galgalia rail section. According to railway officials, the prime minister will flag off the first train on this line during the inauguration ceremony. The railway department and district administration have already begun preparations to make the event a grand one. The new line has been awaited for years and is being seen as a milestone for the region.
The Railway Board has announced that the first train to run on this line will be the Katihar–Siliguri DEMU. The train will leave Katihar early in the morning and reach Siliguri in five hours, covering many stations including Araria Court, Thakurganj and Galgalia. Its return service will depart from Siliguri in the afternoon. To handle the festive season, several Puja special trains have also been planned between September and November. These include services connecting Patna, Narkatiaganj, New Jalpaiguri, and Gomtinagar via Seemanchal, giving passengers more options to travel during the busy festival months.
Officials said these new services will improve both passenger convenience and regional connectivity. The Patna–New Jalpaiguri special train, for example, will link the state capital directly with Araria and Katihar, while another service will connect Uttar Pradesh’s Gomtinagar with New Jalpaiguri through Seemanchal. These trains will not only ease festive travel but also highlight the growing importance of the new railway section for long-term connectivity.
Local people are hopeful that the project will bring big changes to Seemanchal. Farmers will find it easier to send their produce to larger markets, while traders will gain smoother access to neighbouring states. Students and working youth will benefit from cheaper and faster travel for education and jobs. Former MLA Gopal Kumar Agarwal said the new line is “a dream fulfilled” for the region, which had been demanding such connectivity for many years. With this development, Seemanchal is expected to take a step forward towards economic growth and better links with the rest of the country.
