Patna: The Railway Board is weighing up a plan to extend Bihar’s first Vande Bharat Express to Ayodhya Dham, as demand grows from passengers and members of the Railway Consultative Committee.
The service, which currently operates between Muzaffarpur and Patliputra via Gorakhpur, has been running for nearly three months but has struggled to attract passengers. Officials believe that linking the route to the temple town of Ayodhya, or alternatively to Varanasi, could help boost numbers.
A feasibility survey of the Gorakhpur–Ayodhya Dham section is under way, with a decision on the extension expected once the findings are reviewed. Sources within the railway said that approval for the extension is “highly likely”.
Meanwhile, the Danapur–Jogbani Vande Bharat Express (26302/26301) has begun regular operations. The train will run six days a week, except Tuesdays from Danapur and Wednesdays from Jogbani.
The down service will leave Danapur at 5.10pm, halting briefly at Muzaffarpur, before reaching Jogbani at 1.20am. The return journey will depart Jogbani at 3.25am, arriving in Muzaffarpur at 9am and Danapur at 11.30am. Covering 455km, the train will stop at 12 stations along the route.
