Patna: Indian Railways is planning to introduce a new Vande Bharat Express service connecting Darbhanga in north Bihar with Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, with officials currently evaluating two possible routes for the semi-high-speed train.
Railway authorities said discussions are underway to finalise whether the train should run via Patna or through Muzaffarpur and Hajipur, with timetable preparations in progress for both options.
Two Routes Under Consideration
Officials in the Samastipur division said the preferred option may be a route linking Darbhanga to Varanasi via Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Hajipur, Chhapra and Ballia.
An alternative alignment via Samastipur, Barauni, Mokama and Patna is also being examined. However, officials indicated that the Patna route may face constraints due to heavier traffic congestion.
A final decision is expected after consultations with senior railway authorities.
Boost For Muzaffarpur Connectivity
If the Muzaffarpur route is approved, it would become the third Vande Bharat service operating through the city, further strengthening its rail connectivity.
Currently, Vande Bharat services between Gorakhpur and Patliputra, and between Jogbani and Danapur, already pass through Muzaffarpur.
Demand For Faster Travel To Varanasi
Railway officials said there is strong passenger demand for better connectivity between north Bihar and Varanasi, driven in part by religious travel to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
At present, limited daily and weekly train services operate on this corridor, often leading to overcrowding and inconvenience for passengers.
Expected Benefits
If launched, the Darbhanga–Varanasi Vande Bharat is expected to significantly reduce travel time while offering enhanced comfort and additional seating capacity.
Officials said the new service would complement existing trains on the route and improve overall accessibility between Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
