Bihar is on the brink of a major change in how its people travel, with a new Vande Bharat train ready to run very soon. This fast, modern train service promises to connect crucial cities across the state, cutting down travel times and making trips much smoother for everyone. It directly targets the long-standing need for better, faster transport options, aiming to boost local businesses and make daily life easier. The arrival of this train marks a new age for public transport, offering quicker and more comfortable journeys that could reshape how people live and work in Bihar.
New Vande Bharat Trains Reach Bihar
Bihar is seeing a big step forward in its train network with the arrival of new Vande Bharat Express trains. These modern trains are aimed at making travel faster and more comfortable for people. In September 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched four new Vande Bharat trains for Bihar through a video event. These new routes include Tatanagar to Patna, Bhagalpur to Howrah. Gaya to Howrah. Also, a Vande Bharat train from Deoghar to Varanasi will pass through Bihar. These additions are part of a larger plan to improve train services in the state.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated that a total of 20 Vande Bharat trains now serve Bihar, out of 144 operating across the country. This shows a strong focus on connecting Bihar better with other parts of India. Another report indicates that 12 Vande Bharat trains are currently running in the state, reaching 15 districts and having 22 different stops.
Why These Trains Are essential
The new Vande Bharat trains are set to bring many benefits to Bihar. They promise faster travel, which means people can reach their destinations in less time. This improved speed also comes with more comfort and a better travel experience for passengers. Such modern train services are seen as a way to help the economy of the state. They will also meet long-standing demands from people for better ways to travel. For example, a new Vande Bharat connecting Muzaffarpur to New Jalpaiguri is expected to cut travel time from about ten hours to just six hours.
The trains also help in connecting key cities and regions, making it easier for people to move for work, study, or family visits. The railway network is a vital part of daily life for many in Bihar. Making this network stronger means better opportunities and easier access to services across the state and beyond.
Current Train Services and New Plans
Several Vande Bharat Express trains already serve Bihar, linking vital cities. For instance, there is a Vande Bharat Express connecting Patna to New Jalpaiguri. A special Lucknow-Chhapra Vande Bharat Express also ran from March 27 to April 26.
Looking ahead, there are many plans for more Vande Bharat services in Bihar:
- A study is being done for four new Vande Bharat trains from Muzaffarpur to big cities like New Delhi, Howrah, New Jalpaiguri. Varanasi. This study will check how many people need these fast trains, what impact they will have on current train times. if they will make enough money.
- There are plans to launch a Vande Bharat Express from Gorakhpur to Patna in the next three to four months. This train will go through places like Bagaha, Narkatiaganj, Bettiah. Sugauli.
- The route for a Vande Bharat Express connecting Patna, Purnia. Jogbani has been approved. This new train will help people in eastern Bihar, including those near the Nepal border and trade centers like Gulabbagh mandi. There is a plan to extend an existing train by adding more coaches to serve this route.
- Preparations are underway for a Vande Bharat Express from Saharsa to New Delhi. This train will follow a different path, going through Barauni, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Hajipur, Patliputra, DDU. Lucknow. It is expected to make the trip from Muzaffarpur to Delhi in about 13 hours.
- A new Vande Bharat Sleeper train is being tested. its first services might run between New Delhi and Patna or New Delhi and Muzaffarpur by September 2025. This is being thought about due to upcoming elections in Bihar.
Improved Features for Travelers
Vande Bharat trains are known for their advanced features, making them different from older trains. They are India’s own semi-high-speed trains, built to offer better speed, safety. comfort. Inside the trains, passengers can find seats that can be tilted back, a system that tells passengers where they are based on GPS. internet access on the train. The doors open and close by themselves, adding to passenger ease and safety.
The upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will have even more features for long journeys. They will include the KAVACH train accident avoidance system for higher safety. The train body is built to be strong in case of accidents. It will also have a system that saves energy when the train slows down. For passenger comfort, there will be emergency talk-back units so people can speak directly with the train manager or driver. Toilets that are easy for people with disabilities to use will be in the driving coaches. The trains will also have automatic plug doors and wide, closed paths between coaches for safety. Security cameras will be in every coach. special ladders will make it easier to climb to upper beds. A central system will control air conditioning and lights, along with other comforts like shower heads and water heaters. The 16-coach sleeper train will have three types of classes: AC First Class, AC 2-Tier. AC 3-Tier, with space for 1,128 passengers.
Government Focus on Railway Growth
The Indian government is putting a lot of effort and money into improving Bihar’s railway system. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that 98 railway stations in Bihar are being made new and modern under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. These stations will have better facilities for travelers. Across the country, 1,337 stations are part of this plan. Bihar has a significant number of them.
Money set aside for railways in Bihar has gone up a lot. The railway budget for Bihar for the year 2025-26 is ₹10,066 crore. This is nine times more than the money given between 2009 and 2014, which was ₹1,132 crore. This large investment is helping build new railway lines, upgrade existing ones. add more tracks. For example, 218 flyovers and underpasses have been built across Bihar to help traffic flow better and improve travel within the state. New bridges in Munger and Patna have also been built, meeting old demands and making transport better.
“It’s a new chapter in modern rail travel for Bihar… It will provide faster, more comfortable. efficient connectivity. This state-of-the-art train is a testament to India’s growing infrastructure and commitment to enhancing passenger experience.”
This statement from a railway official highlights the aim behind these changes.
What the Future Holds
The railway expansion in Bihar is not just about the Vande Bharat trains. There are broader plans to strengthen the entire railway network. Surveys have been approved for 267 new railway lines, 11 gauge conversions. 614 projects to double existing tracks, covering a very long distance. This shows a long-term plan to make Bihar a key part of India’s railway system. The focus is on providing good services to all people, including those who have less money. These efforts are expected to fulfill the hopes and needs of the people of Bihar for a strong and modern train system.
