Expressing concern over the devastating floods in Nepal , Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday (August 31, 2026) said the Railways is making arrangements for rescued passengers arriving in India.
The enhanced connectivity will also benefit people from neighbouring Nepal, particularly those travelling to and from the border region for employment, education, healthcare, trade and other purposes. Mr. He added that a major transformation in the State’s rail connectivity will come with the development of high-speed rail connectivity. Referring to the proposed high-speed rail network, Mr.
The Nepalganj Road-Nanpara-Bahraich metre gauge rail section was originally constructed in 1886. To further enhance passenger connectivity, the Ministry of Railways has approved the extension of 14213/14214 Varanasi–Bahraich Express, 15132/15131 Varanasi City–Gorakhpur Express and two pairs of 75109/75110 and 75111/75112 Gonda–Bahraich train services up to Nepalganj Road.
He said that the Railways has arranged special coaches and other necessary facilities to help them reach their destinations. “The Railway Board is working in coordination with railway zones, district and state authorities and the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate the safe movement and return of passengers affected by the situation in Nepal,” Mr. Vaishnaw said. “With the completion of gauge conversion and electrification, the section has now become an integral part of the broad gauge railway network, providing improved connectivity to Bahraich, Risiya, Matera, Nanpara, Babaganj and Nepalganj Road stations,” Mr. Officials said the extension fulfils a long-standing demand of the people of the region and will improve access to major urban and economic centres. “The new rail connectivity will strengthen links between Bahraich, Rupaidiha and Nepalganj and provide greater convenience to people on both sides of the border,” said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Vaishnaw also said comprehensive planning is underway to strengthen the railway network across Uttar Pradesh, particularly the Purvanchal region. He said seven major railway networks are being strengthened through the addition of third and fourth lines wherever double lines already exist. He highlighted the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Moradabad-Sitapur-Burhwal-Gonda-Gorakhpur network serving Purvanchal and said that the Delhi to Gonda section has already been approved. Vaishnaw said travel times will be significantly reduced. “The Delhi-Agra journey would take 58 minutes, Delhi-Kanpur 1.45 hours, Delhi-Lucknow 2.12 hours, Delhi-Prayagraj around 3 hours, and Delhi-Varanasi would take about 3.5 hours,” he said.
