Patna: The Indian Railways is gearing up to introduce the sixth Vande Bharat train in Bihar, with plans underway to launch a new service between Patna and Gorakhpur in the next three to four months.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, during his visit to Muzaffarpur on February 10, announced the launch of the Patna-Gorakhpur Vande Bharat train. Since then, railway officials have been working at full speed to commence operations as soon as possible, sources have revealed.
Proposed Route and Possible Alterations
The train will start from Patna Junction in Bihar and travel through Bettiah, Chhapra, and Siwan before entering Uttar Pradesh via Deoria and reaching Gorakhpur Junction. However, an alternative route via Muzaffarpur is also under consideration, though no official confirmation has been made. Railway authorities will decide based on passenger demand.
Existing Vande Bharat Connectivity in Bihar
At present, five Vande Bharat trains operate in Bihar. One of these is the Patna-Lucknow Vande Bharat, which runs six days a week, except Fridays. Train number 22346 departs from Patna at 6.05 am and reaches Varanasi at 2.30 pm, passing through Ara, Buxar, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction, Banaras, and Ayodhya. The return service leaves Gomtinagar, Lucknow, at 3.20 pm and arrives in Patna at 11.45 pm.
Boost for Passengers in UP and Bihar
The introduction of the Patna-Gorakhpur Vande Bharat train is expected to significantly benefit passengers travelling between Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, offering a faster and more comfortable journey.
