Ketaan Ram Kataria
Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lohna Uttar Gram Panchayat in Madhubani, Bihar, and inaugurated two major train services, aiming to enhance connectivity and infrastructure in the region.
The first, the Amrit Bharat Express, is a non-AC superfast train linking Saharsa in Bihar to Mumbai’s Lokmanya Tilak Terminus. Designed for long-distance travel, the train will cover around 1,950 km in approximately 32 hours. It features upgraded LHB coaches with modern amenities such as CCTV surveillance, bio-vacuum toilets, and foot-operated water taps, reflecting the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The second launch was the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail service between Jaynagar and Patna. This semi-high-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) train boasts advanced features like a design speed of 180 km/h, ETCS Level 2 signalling, and Automatic Train Operation (ATO). Built by Alstom under the Indian government’s modernisation push, the train promises quicker and more efficient intercity travel.
These rail launches are part of a broader package of development projects worth ₹13,480 crore unveiled by the Prime Minister during his Bihar visit. The projects span across transport, energy, and housing sectors, and are expected to accelerate economic growth in the state.
The visit also honoured Panchayati Raj institutions and marked PM Modi’s first public address after the Pahalgam terror attack.
