Patna: A new fast passenger train service between Patna and Thawe has been launched on Sunday, fulfilling a long-standing demand of passengers in north Bihar. The train aims to provide better connectivity between the state capital and several towns in Saran and Gopalganj districts while offering greater convenience to daily commuters and pilgrims.
The inaugural service was flagged off from Patna Junction by Patna Sahib MP Ravi Shankar Prasad along with MLA Shyam Rajak in the presence of railway officials and local representatives. The new train is expected to ease travel for thousands of passengers who frequently commute between Patna and the surrounding districts for work, education and business.
Speaking at the launch, Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Thawe region holds deep religious and cultural significance due to the presence of the historic Thawe Temple, which attracts large numbers of devotees every day. He said people had long demanded a direct and convenient rail service between Patna and Thawe to make travel easier for both pilgrims and local residents.
The MP added that the introduction of the fast passenger train will not only promote religious tourism but will also strengthen rail connectivity between Patna and the districts of Saran and Gopalganj. Improved connectivity is expected to benefit students, office-goers, traders and daily passengers who regularly travel along this route.
The inaugural run was operated by loco pilot Manish Kumar, senior assistant loco pilot Madhusudan Prasad and train manager R.K. Singh. During the first journey, passengers expressed enthusiasm about the new service and welcomed the railway administration’s decision to introduce the train.
Several railway officials attended the inauguration ceremony, including Additional Divisional Railway Manager (Infrastructure) Rajiv Kumar, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Abhinav Siddharth, Divisional Commercial Manager Abhishek Kumar Tiwari and Assistant Commercial Manager Pradeep Kumar.
According to the schedule, train number 55515 Patna–Thawe Fast Passenger will depart daily from Patna Junction at 12:10 pm and halt at Phulwari Sharif, Patliputra, Digha Bridge Halt, Dighwara, Goldinganj, Khaira, Marhaura, Mashrakh, Dighwa Dubouli, Sidhwalia, Ratansarai and Gopalganj before reaching Thawe Junction at 7:00 pm.
For the return journey, train number 55516 Thawe–Patna Fast Passenger will depart from Thawe Junction at 8:05 pm and halt at the same stations before arriving at Patna Junction at 3:20 am the following day.
Railway officials said the train will operate with 24 coaches, including 22 general second-class coaches and two SLRD coaches. The distance between Patna and Thawe is approximately 173 kilometres, and the train will take around six hours and 50 minutes to complete the journey, with the return trip taking about 25 minutes longer.
