Railways to start Patna-Howrah Vande Bharat from Aug; plans to redevelop 55 stations in Eastern region

The Railway plans to transform 55 stations in the East Central Railway (ECR) into model stations with enhanced amenities. As per a TOI report, a comprehensive plan has been formulated to upgrade these stations, providing passengers with a more convenient and comfortable experience. The stations include the prominat ones like Patna Junction, Rajendra Nagar Terminal and Patna Sahib.

Railways also plans to improve rail connectivity through the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express and increasing the speed limit of select trains to 160 km per hour.

In the first or second week of August, the railways plan to launch a semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express train between Patna and Howrah. This will be Bihar's second Vande Bharat Express, following the successful launch of the train on the Patna-Ranchi line on June 27.


The Patna-Howrah Vande Bharat Express will travel 535 kilometers in roughly seven hours. Though the tariff has not been finalized, it is expected to be Rs 2,650 for the AC Executive Class and Rs 1,450 for the AC Chair Car for a single journey, which would include meals/breakfast.

Meanwhile, the redevelopment plan of railway platforms will offer free Wi-Fi, kiosks selling local products, an improved passenger information system, executive lounges, dedicated spaces for business meetings, and enhanced landscaping.

The ambitious plan also encompasses station building improvements on both sides of the city, fostering multimodal integration, catering to the needs of divyangjans (persons with disabilities), ensuring an environment-friendly atmosphere, and providing a roof plaza for passengers' convenience.

Among the significant stations in the Danapur division scheduled for upgrading are Patna Junction, Rajendra Nagar Terminal, Patna Sahib, Danapur, Bakhtiyarpur, Biharsharif, Jamui, Jhajha, Kiul, Lakhisarai, Rajgir, Ara, Buxar, Mokama, Nalanda, Nawada, Barh, and Phulwarisharif.

Moreover, the stations of Begusarai, Bettiah, Gaya, Hajipur, Motihari, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Sonepur, Raxaul, Saharsa, Madhubani, Dalsinghsarai, Barauni, Darbhanga, Dehri on Sone, Koderma, and Sheikhpura are identified as other crucial stations in the ECR slated for comprehensive upgradation.