Muzaffarpur: Indian Railways has announced a special train service between Rishikesh and Muzaffarpur to support pilgrims travelling for the annual Char Dham Yatra, with operations scheduled from mid-April to July.
The service, introduced as part of the summer travel plan, is expected to ease pressure on regular routes during a period of high passenger demand. The train will begin running on April 16 and continue until July 12, according to railway officials.
Train number 04314 will depart from Yog Nagari Rishikesh twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, while the return service, train number 04313, will leave Muzaffarpur on Fridays and Mondays between April 17 and July 13.
The route includes major stops such as Haridwar, Moradabad, Bareilly, Gorakhpur and Chhapra, before continuing via Hajipur to Muzaffarpur. On its onward journey, the train is scheduled to reach Chhapra at 8:15am the following day and Muzaffarpur at 11:20am.
On the return leg, the train will depart Muzaffarpur at 2:00pm, reach Chhapra at 5:45pm, and arrive back in Rishikesh at 11:15am the next day, covering key stations across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
The train will consist of 18 coaches, including AC two-tier and three-tier compartments, sleeper class, general coaches and SLR units. Railway officials said the move is aimed at providing a more comfortable and manageable travel option during the summer months, when demand for long-distance travel typically rises and overcrowding becomes a concern.
The introduction of the special service is part of a broader effort by Indian Railways to expand capacity during peak travel periods, particularly for religious tourism and seasonal migration from Bihar.
