Patna: Passengers travelling through Bihar are being urged to check schedules carefully as the Northeast Railway carries out major track upgrades at Gorakhpur Junction. Between September 22 and 26, commissioning of a third rail line over four kilometres from Gorakhpur to Dominganj, and doubling work along a five-kilometre stretch between Gorakhpur and Nahka Jungle, will necessitate extensive changes to train operations.
A press release from CPRO Saraswati Chandra confirmed that 24 trains, including the Vande Bharat Express, will be fully cancelled. Another 26 services, such as the Saptkranti, Vaishali, and Bihar Sampark Kranti trains, will be rerouted, while four trains, including the Maurya Express, will see partial termination or altered starting points. Departure times for 14 additional trains have also been adjusted. Passengers are advised to contact the Railway Information Number 139 before travelling.
Among the cancelled services are the Amritsar–New Jalpaiguri Express (04654) on September 24, the Muzaffarpur–Prayagraj Express (12537/38) on September 22 and 24, the Jammu Tawi–Bhagalpur Amarnath Express (15098) on September 23, and the Patliputra–Gorakhpur Vande Bharat Express (26501/02) from September 23 to 26. Several Purvanchal Express, Champaran Humsafar, and Jansadharan Express trains are also affected on different dates.
Rerouted trains will follow alternative paths via Chhapra, Aundihar, Varanasi, Banaras, Prayagraj, and Kanpur Central, with specific clone special services operating between Barauni, New Delhi, Darbhanga, and other stations. Some trains, such as the Sambalpur–Gorakhpur and Kolkata–Gorakhpur Express, will operate from new originating stations or terminate at intermediate points to accommodate ongoing works.
Rail authorities emphasised that the non-interlocking and track-doubling project is aimed at increasing train speed, capacity, and safety at Gorakhpur Junction and surrounding networks. While the disruption may be inconvenient for passengers, it is expected to enhance regional connectivity and support economic activity in the long term.
A rescheduled timetable has been released for affected trains, and Northeast Railway has urged travellers to plan journeys carefully and confirm schedules in advance to avoid unexpected delays.
