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Patna : New railway services from Rajgir to Katra and Rishikesh via Patna have been launched to facilitate travel for devotees, especially those visiting Vaishno Devi.
Train number 03223 will operate from Rajgir to Katra, while train number 03221 will run to Rishikesh. Nalanda MP Kaushlendra Kumar flagged off train 03223 at Rajgir station. However, railway officials have stated that due to technical reasons, this train will currently run only up to Haridwar. The service is expected to become a regular one soon, instead of a special train, and will then extend to its scheduled destination, Rishikesh.
Bookings for both trains have begun. The Rajgir–Katra–Rajgir Special Express is set to start running from Monday. Officials also noted that this is the first train from the East Central Railway zone to directly reach Rishikesh station.
Currently, Kumbh Express and Himgiri Express operate to Haridwar via Patna.
Train 03223, the Rajgir–Rishikesh Special Express, will depart every Friday from Rajgir station at 6:05 am and arrive in Haridwar the next day at 6:05 am, passing through Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Lucknow, and Moradabad.
Train 03221, the Rajgir–Katra Special Express, will depart every Monday at 2:00 pm starting from 14 April, traveling via Nalanda, Pawapuri, Bakhtiyarpur, Patna Junction, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Lucknow. Due to construction in the Northern Railway zone, the train will currently terminate about 25 km before Katra, at Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan Railway Station.
Each train will consist of 24 coaches, including four general coaches, 12 sleeper coaches, four third AC coaches, two second AC coaches, and two guards/power vans. The new services are expected to offer significant convenience to lakhs of pilgrims.
