Ashwini Vaishnaw Flags Off New Dohrighat–Aunrihar Passenger Train for Purvanchal

The Aunrihar–Dohrighat–Aunrihar Passenger Train will operate with an eight-coach passenger rake designed for comfortable and affordable daily travel.

In a major boost to railway connectivity and infrastructure development in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday virtually flagged off the new Dohrighat–Aunrihar Passenger Train, marking a significant expansion of rail services across the Purvanchal region.

The launch ceremony was attended by Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Shri Arvind Kumar Sharma, Member of Parliament Rajeev Rai, senior railway officials, and local dignitaries.

The newly launched passenger service is expected to improve daily mobility, regional economic activity, educational access, and tourism across the districts of Mau, Ghazipur, and adjoining areas. Officials said the train service fulfills a long-standing demand for direct rail connectivity in the region.

New Passenger Service to Strengthen Purvanchal Connectivity

The Aunrihar–Dohrighat–Aunrihar Passenger Train will operate with an eight-coach passenger rake designed for comfortable and affordable daily travel. The service will halt at:

• Sadat

• Jakhanian

• Dullahapur

• Mau

• Indara

• Kopaganj

• Ghosi

• Amila

• Muradpur stations.

In a major announcement, Shri Vaishnaw stated that the passenger service would soon be extended up to Varanasi, one of India's most important cultural, religious, and commercial centres.

The extension is expected to significantly benefit:

• Daily commuters,

• Students,

• Traders,

• Pilgrims,

• Small businesses,

• Rural passengers travelling across eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Railway officials believe the service will substantially improve rail accessibility along the Aunrihar–Dohrighat corridor while supporting local trade, tourism, and employment opportunities.

New Delhi–Purvanchal Express Corridor Announced

Addressing the gathering virtually from Dohrighat, Shri Vaishnaw also announced a new express train connecting Purvanchal directly with Delhi through the northern Ganga rail corridor.

The proposed route will connect:Chhapra – Ballia – Mau – Azamgarh – Shahganj – Jaunpur – Sultanpur – Lucknow – Kanpur – Aligarh – Ghaziabad – Anand Vihar.

The Minister described the project as a response to the region's long-pending demand for stronger rail connectivity with the national capital and major urban centres.

The new corridor is expected to:

• Improve passenger mobility,

• Reduce travel time,

• Enhance regional economic integration,

• Support migrant workers and students,

• Expand commercial opportunities between eastern UP and Delhi-NCR.

Historic Meter Gauge Line Revived Through Broad Gauge Conversion

Shri Vaishnaw highlighted the historical significance of the Indara–Dohrighat railway line, originally built in 1904 during the British era as a metre gauge route.

He stated that despite being more than a century old, the gauge conversion project remained pending for decades until renewed infrastructure expansion efforts began after 2014.

The Minister noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, several long-pending railway projects across India were revived, including:

• Gauge conversion projects,

• Railway doubling,

• Third and fourth line expansions,

• Completion of stalled infrastructure works.

The Indara–Dohrighat line has now been converted to broad gauge, dramatically improving rail capacity and operational efficiency in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Shri Vaishnaw recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off train services on the newly converted line in December 2023.

Railway Investment in Uttar Pradesh Witnesses Massive Surge

Highlighting the scale of railway expansion in Uttar Pradesh, Shri Vaishnaw stated that the railway budget allocation for the state stood at only ₹1,109 crore in 2014, but has now increased to approximately ₹20,012 crore.

He further revealed that railway infrastructure projects worth nearly ₹1.2 lakh crore are currently underway across Uttar Pradesh — one of the largest rail development programmes in the state's history.

The Minister emphasized that the scale of investment is aimed at transforming Uttar Pradesh into one of India's most connected rail networks, strengthening both passenger and freight transportation.

Mega Rail Corridors Taking Shape Across Uttar Pradesh

Shri Vaishnaw outlined several large-scale railway corridor projects under implementation across the state.

According to the Minister:

• A major four-line railway corridor south of the Ganga has been developed along the Prayagraj–Kanpur–Agra–Delhi route.

• Another massive four-line corridor north of the Ganga is being developed connecting Delhi via Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Bareilly, Sitapur, Gonda and Gorakhpur toward Bihar and the Northeast.

He also listed several critical railway infrastructure projects currently under progress, including:

• Chitauni–Tamkuhi Road new line,

• Anand Nagar–Ghughli new line,

• Sahjanwa–Dohrighat new line,

• Bahraich–Khalilabad new line,

• Gorakhpur–Valmiki Nagar doubling,

• Burhwal–Gonda third line,

• Katra–Ayodhya doubling,

• Aunrihar–Varanasi third line,

• Mathura–Jhansi third line,

• Agra Fort–Bandikui doubling,

• Chopan–Chunar doubling,

• Prayagraj–Manikpur third line.

New Ganga Bridge Near Namo Ghat to Transform Varanasi Connectivity

The Railway Minister also announced the construction of a new bridge over the Ganga near Varanasi to replace the ageing Malviya Bridge infrastructure.

The upcoming structure near Namo Ghat will feature:

• Four railway lines on the lower deck,

• A six-lane highway on the upper deck.

Officials believe the new bridge will significantly ease congestion and improve multimodal connectivity in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Shri Vaishnaw stated that these ongoing railway projects would completely reshape Uttar Pradesh's transportation map and create capacity for operating at least 500 additional trains in the future.

Amrit Bharat Stations and New Train Services Expanding Rapidly

The Minister said that 157 Amrit Bharat stations are currently being developed across Uttar Pradesh, with redevelopment work already completed at 28 stations.

In the Purvanchal region, modernization work is underway at:

• Mau,

• Ghazipur City,

• Dildarnagar railway stations.

Shri Vaishnaw further noted that after the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Around 58 new train services have been introduced in Uttar Pradesh,

• 568 train services have been extended,

• 40 Amrit Bharat Express trains are operational,

• 32 Vande Bharat services are currently running in the state.

He also highlighted the commencement of:

• Anand Vihar–Mau train service in February 2021,

• New rail services from Mau to Mumbai launched in December 2023.

Underpasses and Safety Infrastructure to Be Fast-Tracked

To improve safety and traffic movement, the Minister announced accelerated construction of underpasses at locations:

• 14C,

• 25C,

• 27C.

He directed railway authorities to complete these projects in "record time."

Bullet Train Corridor to Redefine Mobility in Uttar Pradesh

In one of the most high-profile announcements of the event, Shri Vaishnaw highlighted the proposed Bullet Train Corridor for Uttar Pradesh, recently announced in the Union Budget.

The Minister shared projected travel times under the high-speed rail network:

• Delhi–Agra: 58 minutes

• Delhi–Lucknow: 2 hours 12 minutes

• Delhi–Varanasi: 3 hours 33 minutes

• Delhi–Ayodhya: 2 hours 47 minutes

• Lucknow–Prayagraj: 48 minutes

• Lucknow–Varanasi: 1 hour 21 minutes

• Lucknow–Ayodhya: 35 minutes.

The proposed bullet train network connecting:Delhi – Lucknow – Varanasi – Patna – Siliguriis expected to significantly strengthen connectivity with Bihar and the Northeastern states while advancing the vision of "Viksit Uttar Pradesh" and "Viksit Bharat."

Shri Vaishnaw assured that the high-speed rail system would remain affordable for middle-class and ordinary citizens while serving as a transformative backbone for India's future transportation infrastructure.

Religious and Cultural Significance Highlighted

During his address, Shri Vaishnaw described Dohrighat as a place of deep spiritual and cultural importance associated with Lord Shri Ram and revered as the meeting place of Lord Shri Parashuramji.

He said the strengthening of railway connectivity in such regions would not only improve transportation but also support religious tourism and cultural integration across eastern India.

With major rail infrastructure investments, expanded passenger services, and the proposed bullet train network, the Railways Ministry is positioning Uttar Pradesh at the centre of India's next-generation transportation transformation.