New Passenger Train Strengthens Eastern Uttar Pradesh Connectivity
Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually flagged off the Dohri Ghat–Aunrihar passenger train on May 11, 2026, marking another step towards strengthening rail connectivity across eastern Uttar Pradesh. The new service is expected to provide passengers from Dohri Ghat, Mau and surrounding areas with more convenient, affordable and reliable daily rail connectivity.
The inauguration was conducted through video conferencing from Rail Bhawan, with Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma, Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Rai, senior railway officials and other dignitaries participating in the programme.
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Dohri Ghat–Aunrihar Passenger Train Begins Service
The newly inaugurated passenger train will serve several stations along its route, creating an important transport link between the region and the Aunrihar railway network. Ashwini Vaishnaw said the service is expected to improve daily connectivity for passengers travelling across the region.
The train will stop at Sadat, Jakhanian, Dullahapur, Mau, Indara, Kopaganj, Ghosi, Amila and Muradpur, among other locations.
The service is expected to benefit commuters, students, workers, traders and other passengers who depend on railways for regular travel. Ashwini Vaishnaw also highlighted the importance of improving passenger connectivity in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced that the service would eventually be extended up to Varanasi, further increasing its importance for regional connectivity.
Direct and Affordable Rail Travel for Mau and Surrounding Areas
The new service is expected to provide passengers from Mau, Ghazipur and neighbouring areas with a direct, economical and comfortable option for daily rail travel. Ashwini Vaishnaw said stronger rail links could help improve access to employment, education, healthcare and business opportunities.
Dohri Ghat was also highlighted during the event for its religious and cultural significance, including its association with Lord Ram and Lord Parashuram.
Improved railway connectivity in such areas can support employment, education, healthcare, business activity and religious tourism by making travel more accessible.
New Express Train Planned Between Purvanchal and Delhi
One of the major announcements during the programme was a proposed new express train connecting the Purvanchal region with Delhi.
The proposed service is intended to address the long-standing demand for stronger rail connectivity between eastern Uttar Pradesh and the national capital.
According to Ashwini Vaishnaw, the service would be started at the earliest, although a final launch date was not specified in the material provided.
Indara–Dohri Ghat Railway Line Gets Modernisation Push
Another major infrastructure development highlighted during the event was the gauge-related transformation of the Indara–Dohri Ghat railway line.
The line was constructed in 1904 and is more than a century old. The gauge conversion project has been taken up as part of efforts to modernise the railway network and improve connectivity in the region.
The source material states that the Indara–Dohri Ghat line was converted to broad gauge, allowing the route to become part of a more modern railway framework. Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted such infrastructure upgrades as part of the broader railway development programme.
Railway Investment in Uttar Pradesh Sees Major Increase
Ashwini Vaishnaw also highlighted a substantial rise in railway investment in Uttar Pradesh.
According to figures presented during the programme, railway budget allocation for the state stood at around ₹1,109 crore in 2014. The allocation later increased to approximately ₹20,012 crore.
The minister said around ₹1.2 lakh crore worth of railway projects are currently underway in Uttar Pradesh.
These projects cover new railway lines, doubling of existing routes, major corridors, station redevelopment and additional passenger services.
Major Railway Infrastructure Projects Underway
Several large infrastructure projects were highlighted during the event, including the development of a four-line railway corridor on the Prayagraj–Kanpur–Agra–Delhi route.
Another four-line corridor is being developed north of the Ganga, connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Bareilly, Sitapur, Gonda and Gorakhpur before extending towards Bihar and the northeastern region.
The projects are designed to increase railway capacity and enable more trains to operate on busy routes.
The list of projects also includes the Chitrangi–Tamkuhi Road new line, Anand Nagar–Ghughli new line, Sahjanwa–Dohri Ghat new line, Barhaj–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, Chhapra–Jaunpur doubling and Prayagraj–Manikpur third line.
New Railway Bridge Planned Near Varanasi
Railway infrastructure near Varanasi is also receiving attention.
The Railway Minister discussed the construction of a new bridge parallel to the existing Malviya Bridge in Varanasi. The existing bridge is ageing, making additional infrastructure important as railway traffic continues to grow.
The new bridge is expected to strengthen railway infrastructure and support future traffic requirements.
Four-Line Railway Corridor Planned North of the Ganga
The proposed four-line corridor north of the Ganga is another major component of the expansion plan.
The infrastructure is expected to increase capacity across an important section of the railway network and strengthen connections between eastern and western Uttar Pradesh.
It could also improve links towards Bihar and the northeastern states.
According to Ashwini Vaishnaw, such projects are part of a wider effort to prepare the railway network for increasing passenger and freight demand.
Railway Expansion Could Enable 500 New Trains
Ashwini Vaishnaw also spoke about the long-term transformation of India’s railway network.
He said the infrastructure changes taking place across the country could eventually enable the operation of at least 500 new trains.
According to Ashwini Vaishnaw, the strategy involves developing new railway lines, adding tracks, upgrading signalling systems, modernising stations and improving passenger services.
157 Amrit Bharat Stations Under Development
Station redevelopment is another major component of Uttar Pradesh’s railway modernisation programme.
According to figures presented during the event, 157 Amrit Bharat railway stations are being developed in Uttar Pradesh, with work on 28 stations already completed. Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted station redevelopment as an important part of improving passenger infrastructure.
Stations in the Purvanchal region, including Mau, Ghazipur City and Dildarnagar, are among those where redevelopment work is underway.
The programme is intended to improve passenger amenities, waiting areas, circulation facilities and overall station infrastructure.
New Train Services Expanded After COVID-19
Ashwini Vaishnaw also highlighted the expansion of train services in Uttar Pradesh following the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the figures cited during the programme, around 58 new train services have been introduced in the state since the pandemic, while 568 services have been expanded.
Uttar Pradesh currently has 40 Amrit Bharat Express services and 32 Vande Bharat services operating in the state, according to the material provided.
The Anand Vihar–Mau service began in February 2021, followed by a Mau–Mumbai service in December 2023.
Underpasses Planned at Three Railway Locations
Railway authorities have also planned underpasses at three locations to improve safety and reduce disruption caused by level crossings.
The underpasses are planned at 14SI, 25SI and 27SI.
Ashwini Vaishnaw said such infrastructure can help improve road-rail safety while allowing vehicular movement to continue without dependence on railway crossing gates.
Bullet Train Connectivity to Cut Travel Times
The Railway Minister also discussed the proposed bullet train corridor involving Uttar Pradesh.
According to the information presented, a bullet train corridor for Uttar Pradesh has been announced in the Union Budget, with work being accelerated.
Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the potential of high-speed rail to significantly reduce travel times between major cities.
The indicative travel times presented during the programme include:
- Delhi–Agra: 58 minutes
- Delhi–Lucknow: 2 hours 12 minutes
- Delhi–Varanasi: 3 hours 33 minutes
- Lucknow–Ayodhya: 2 hours 47 minutes
- Lucknow–Prayagraj: 48 minutes
- Lucknow–Varanasi: 1 hour 21 minutes
- Lucknow–Ayodhya: 35 minutes
According to Ashwini Vaishnaw, these proposed connectivity improvements form part of the broader effort to expand and modernise India’s railway network.
The proposed network is expected to improve connections between major cities across Uttar Pradesh and strengthen links with Delhi and other parts of the country.
A Wider Push to Modernise Uttar Pradesh Railways
The flagging off of the Dohri Ghat–Aunrihar passenger train represents more than the introduction of a single local service.
It forms part of a broader programme aimed at increasing railway capacity, modernising infrastructure and improving passenger connectivity across Uttar Pradesh.
From the proposed extension of the passenger service towards Varanasi and the planned Purvanchal–Delhi express train to major track, bridge and station redevelopment projects, the announcements point towards a multi-layered expansion of the state’s railway network.
What the Railway Expansion Means for Passengers
For passengers in Mau, Dohri Ghat, Ghazipur, Aunrihar, Varanasi and surrounding areas, improved railway connectivity could provide more affordable and convenient travel options.
At the same time, the proposed railway corridors and infrastructure upgrades are intended to support the longer-term growth of passenger and freight traffic.
With numerous projects underway and new services being added, Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a major focus of India’s railway modernisation programme.
The key challenge will be ensuring that announced projects are completed on schedule while maintaining safety, reliability and affordability for passengers.
Dohri Ghat–Aunrihar Service Marks Another Railway Milestone
The new Dohri Ghat–Aunrihar passenger train, along with its proposed extension towards Varanasi, is being positioned as an important addition to the region’s public transport network.
According to Ashwini Vaishnaw, the service is also part of a much larger railway expansion programme that includes new lines, additional tracks, modern stations, bridges, express trains and faster rail connectivity.
For eastern Uttar Pradesh, these developments could play an important role in improving regional mobility while supporting economic, social and tourism-related activity across the state.
Ashwini Vaishnaw has also highlighted the wider importance of strengthening railway infrastructure in the region as passenger demand continues to grow.
The planned improvements, as outlined by Ashwini Vaishnaw, are aimed at creating a more efficient and better-connected railway network for passengers across Uttar Pradesh.