Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said the Centre has earmarked a record budget of more than Rs 10,000 crore for railway infrastructure in Bihar in the current financial year, while unveiling new train services and outlining an ambitious expansion plan for the state's rail network.
During a day-long visit to Bihar, Vaishnaw flagged off the Chapra–Delhi (Anand Vihar) Express, the Mau–Delhi (Anand Vihar) Express and the extension of the Dohrighat–Aunrihar MEMU service to Varanasi in Saran. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary attended the event, while Uttar Pradesh minister A.K. Sharma joined virtually.
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Addressing the gathering, Vaishnaw said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has allocated a record railway budget of more than Rs 10,000 crore for the development of rail infrastructure in Bihar in the current financial year".
He said railway projects worth around Rs 1.15 lakh crore are currently under implementation across the state, with five additional platforms being constructed at Patna railway station to increase passenger handling capacity. Fatuha station near the state capital is also being upgraded.
Highlighting the pace of infrastructure development, the minister said, "In the last 12 years under the leadership of Modi, a total of 2,034 km of new railway tracks have been laid in Bihar, which is more than the total rail network of a country like Malaysia."
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Vaishnaw said Bihar has received 11 Amrit Bharat trains and 14 Vande Bharat trains in recent years, adding that high-speed rail connectivity would eventually link the state with the national capital.
"Bullet train connectivity from Delhi to Lucknow, Lucknow to Varanasi, Varanasi to Patna and Patna to Siliguri will begin in the coming years. The journey time from Delhi to Patna will be reduced to just 4 hours and 41 minutes once the bullet train becomes operational," he said.
The minister also said the Centre plans to introduce 200 new trains in Bihar over the next seven to eight years.
Highlighting the state's growing role in railway manufacturing, Vaishnaw said locomotives built at the Marhowrah factory are being exported overseas.
"Today, the 51st locomotive engine will be exported from the Marhowrah plant in Bihar to an African country," he said.
