Chirag Gupta
Hajipur: On the occasion of World Tourism Day, East Central Railway emphasized its role in promoting tourism by providing better facilities and easier access to key tourist destinations. The railway connects major historical and cultural sites such as Vaishali, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Patna, Nalanda, Sitamarhi, and Parasnath, facilitating travel to these important locations.
To further enhance tourism, East Central Railway is working to develop world-class facilities at 92 stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. These upgrades include modern station facades, improved waiting areas, lifts, escalators, and eco-friendly buildings powered by green energy. There will also be advanced passenger information systems, executive lounges, and tourist display boards to make travel more convenient for visitors.
Among the prominent destinations served by the railway, Vaishali, an ancient Buddhist and Jain pilgrimage site, is now directly connected by rail to Patna via Hajipur. Bodhgaya, a significant site for Buddhists, can be easily reached from Patna and Kolkata, while Rajgir, known for its natural beauty, is accessible from Biharsharif station. Patna, once the historic city of Pataliputra, is home to many important sites, including Golghar, the Patna Museum, and Har Mandir Takht.
In addition to these locations, the railway serves other key tourist spots like Pawapuri, home to the revered Jain temple Jal Mandir, and Nalanda, known for its ancient university. Pilgrims also visit Parasnath, where the Jain Tirthankara Parshvanath attained salvation, and Patna Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
The railway’s efforts to provide high-speed trains, well-maintained waiting rooms, rest areas, and quality catering services have made travel more comfortable and enjoyable for tourists. The East Central Railway continues to work on upgrading passenger services to make journeys memorable and further promote tourism in Bihar.
