Patna: The much-awaited Patliputra-Gorakhpur Vande Bharat Express, routed via Bettiah, is set to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 20. The semi-high-speed train will operate six days a week from Patliputra Junction, with Saturday reserved for maintenance at Gorakhpur.
According to officials, preparations are in full swing following directives from the Railway Board. The train’s rake has arrived at the Gorakhpur Railway Yard and is expected to undergo trial runs within the next two days. Regular service is anticipated to begin soon after.
As per the proposed timetable, the train will depart Gorakhpur at 6:30 am, reaching Patliputra Junction at 1:30 pm. It will then return from Patliputra at 2:25 pm, arriving back in Gorakhpur at 9:35 pm. The journey, spanning approximately seven hours, will include stops at Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Bettiah, Narkatiaganj and Kaptanganj.
The train will feature one executive coach and seven chair car coaches, equipped with modern amenities to enhance passenger comfort. Long demanded by travellers from North Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, the service is expected to significantly reduce travel time and ease congestion on this busy route.
The official schedule of the Vande Bharat Express is expected to be released by Tuesday.
