**Summary:**
This document summarizes the response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4555, addressed to the Minister of Railways on August 20, 2025, regarding the potential formation of a new zonal railway headquarters. The question inquired whether the Ministry of Railways proposes to establish a new zonal railway headquarters by combining the rail network of Purnia, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Banka, Munger (Bihar), Dumka, Deoghar, Sahebganj, Pakur (Jharkhand), and the Katihar Railway Division (currently under the Northeast Frontier Railway).
The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, responded that the establishment of railway zones is based on factors such as size, workload, accessibility, traffic patterns, operational/administrative requirements, and economic efficiency, rather than state/district boundaries or regional considerations. The areas mentioned in the question fall under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Railway, East Central Railway, and Northeast Frontier Railway. The Minister stated that the current arrangement is working satisfactorily, and there is no proposal under consideration to form a new zonal railway by combining the rail network of these districts and the Katihar division.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for the railways in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, who provided the answer to the question.
Northeast Frontier Railway: One of the 18 railway zones in India, mentioned in the context of areas falling under its jurisdiction.
Bihar: A state in India where several of the mentioned districts (Purnia, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Banka, Munger) are located.
Jharkhand: A state in India where several of the mentioned districts (Dumka, Deoghar, Sahebganj, Pakur) are located.
Katihar Railway Division: A railway division mentioned in the context of being under the Northeast Frontier Railway and part of the area under consideration.
Eastern Railway: One of the railway zones in India, having jurisdiction over some of the areas mentioned in the document.
East Central Railway: One of the railway zones in India, having jurisdiction over some of the areas mentioned in the document.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4555
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
NEW ZONAL RAILWAY HEADQUARTERS
†4555. SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Railway Board/Ministry proposes to form a new
zonal Railway Headquarters by combining the rail network of
Punia, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Barka,
Munger (Bihar), Dumka, Deoghar, Sahebganj, Pakur areas of
Jharkhand including Katihar Railway Division under Northeast
Frontier Railway;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the time by when the said new Zonal Railway Headquarters is
likely to start functioning in full existence?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c): Zones on Indian Railways are set up keeping in view
factors like size, workload, accessibilities, traffic pattern and
other operational/administrative requirements etc. consistent with
the needs of economy and efficiency.
Zones on Indian Railways are not based on the state/district
boundaries or on regional consideration. The rail network of
Contd...2/--2-
Purnia, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Banka,
Munger, Dumka, Deoghar, Sahebganj, Pakur areas and Katihar
railway division fall under the jurisdiction of Eastern Railway, East
Central Railway and Northeast Frontier Railway.
The present arrangement is working satisfactorily and there is no
proposal under consideration to form a new zonal railway by
combining the rail network under these districts and Katihar
division.
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