Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways addresses questions regarding new train services and manufacturing projects related to Sitamarhi. Indian Railways aims to improve connectivity and facilities, introducing modern train services like Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat. Decisions on new trains, frequency, and extensions depend on factors like capacity and infrastructure. The Ministry states that existing manufacturing and maintenance units are currently sufficient.
Key Points / Main Content:
New Train Services and Connectivity:
* Introduction of new trains, increased frequency, or extension of existing trains depends on capacity, path availability, rolling stock, infrastructure, and maintenance requirements.
* 15557/58 Darbhanga-Anand Vihar T Amrit Bharat Express introduced w.e.f. 01.01.2024, via Ayodhya, Basti, Gorakhpur, Narkatiaganj and Sitamarhi.
* Darbhanga-Delhi sector is served by 04 pairs of train services.
* Darbhanga-Ayodhya sector is served by 04 pairs of train services, including Amrit Bharat Express and 15561/62 Darbhanga-Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Express w.e.f 26.07.2025 via Ayodhya Cantt.
* Sitamarhi-Ayodhya sector is served by 03 pairs of trains.
Vande Bharat Services:
* Semi-high speed trains with enhanced safety features and modern amenities.
* Features include KAVACH system, faster acceleration, sealed gangways, automatic doors, better comfort, mini pantry, special lavatories, CCTVs, etc.
* 150 Vande Bharat train services are operational as of 12th August, 2025.
Amrit Bharat Services:
* Fully non-AC modern trains for affordable transportation.
* Composition includes General Class, Sleeper Class, pantry car, and luggage cum Divyangjan coaches.
* Features include improved aesthetics, jerk-free couplers, improved crashworthiness, CCTV, improved toilets and ladders, LED lighting, USB charging, emergency talk-back, and sealed gangways.
Manufacturing and Maintenance Units:
* Network expansion is underway to increase rail network capacity.
* Coach/Locomotive manufacturing/maintenance units are set up based on overall rolling stock requirements.
* Existing and planned manufacturing/maintenance units are sufficient for current needs.
Impact Analysis:
Passengers:
Impact: Benefit from new train services, improved connectivity, and modern facilities on Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains.
Action Required: Utilize the new train services and provide feedback on the facilities.
Railway Authorities:
Impact: Manage the introduction and operation of new train services, network expansion, and maintenance of rolling stock.
Action Required: Ensure adequate capacity, infrastructure, and maintenance for new and existing services.
Rolling Stock Manufacturers:
Impact: Current manufacturing and maintenance needs are being met by existing units.
Action Required: No immediate action required unless further directives are provided.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI LAXMIKANT PAPPU NISHAD: Member of Parliament who raised the question about railway projects in Sitamarhi.
Sitamarhi, Bihar: A city and district in Bihar, India; focus of the railway project inquiry, and purported birthplace of Maa Sita.
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: A city in Uttar Pradesh, India; a major railway transit point mentioned in the context of new train routes.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
Vande Bharat Express: A semi-high-speed train service operated by Indian Railways, offering enhanced safety features and modern passenger amenities.
Amrit Bharat Express: A fully non-AC modern train service introduced by Indian Railways, aimed at providing affordable transportation.
Indian Railways (IR): The state-owned railway company of India, responsible for the country's rail transport.
Darbhanga, Bihar: A city in Bihar, India; mentioned as a key location in the context of new train services and routes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4513
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
RAILWAY PROJECTS IN SITAMARHI
4513. SHRI LAXMIKANT PAPPU NISHAD:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is planning to run trains like Duranto
Express/Humsafar/Vande Bharat/AC super-fast express daily from
Anand Vihar to Darbhanga via Ayodhya, Basti, Khalilabad, Gorakhpur,
Narkatiaganj and Sitamarhi and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Railways is planning for big projects like
manufacturing of Engines, Passenger coaches or
overhaul/maintenance in birth place of Maa Sita i.e. Sitamarhi and if
so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Railways is planning to run trains from other places
through Ayodhya to Sitamarhi and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Railways is planning to run direct trains between
important cities of India like New Delhi, Mumbai etc. and if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d) Indian Railways(IR) constantly endeavours to provide modern
facilites and improve connectivity between stations. To this end
modern train services like Vande Bharat and Amirt Bharat train
services are being introduced.
Introduction of new trains, increase in frequency of existing trains,
extension of existing trains etc. on any route/section depends on
various factors which include:
Capacity of that section, Availability of path,
Availability of required rolling stock,
Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock,
Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets
Considering the above factors, and to cater to the needs of Darbhanga-
Delhi sector, IR have introduced 15557/58 Darbhanga-Anand Vihar (T)
Amrit Bharat Express (via Ayodhya, Basti, Gorakhpur, Narkatiaganj and
Sitamarhi w.e.f. 01.01.2024). Presently, Darbhanga-Delhi sector is
served by 04 pairs of train services.
Darbhanga-Ayodhya sector is presently being served by 04 pairs of
train services including 15557/58 Darbhanga-Anand Vihar (T) Amrit
Bharat Express and recently introduced 15561/62 Darbhanga-Gomti
Nagar Amrit Bharat Express (w.e.f 26.07.2025 via Ayodhya Cantt).
The above Amrit Bharat services are also catering to the needs of
Sitamarhi-Ayodhya sector. Presently, 03 pairs of trains are serving
Sitamarhi-Ayodhya sector.
1. Vande Bharat service:
Indian Railways have introduced Vande Bharat services which are
semi-high speed trains and are aimed to provide better travel
experience and improved safety to the passengers. These services are
equipped with enhanced safety features and modern passenger
amenities like-
I. KAVACH system
II. Faster acceleration
III. Fully Sealed Gangway
IV. Automatic Plug Doors
V. Better Ride Comfort
VI. Mini Pantry with provision of Hot CaseVII. Bottle Cooler
VIII. Deep freezer & Hot water Boiler
IX. Reclining Ergonomic Seats
X. Comfortable Seating with revolving seats in executive class
XI. Mobile charging sockets for every seat
XII. Special lavatory for Divyangjan passengers in Driving Trailer
Car(DTC),
XIII. CCTVs, etc.
As on 12th August, 2025, 150 Vande Bharat train services are
operational on the Broad Gauge (B.G.) electrified network of Indian
Railways.
2. Amrit Bharat services
To cater to the needs of passengers, including those from Bihar, and
with a view to provide affordable means of transportation to the low
and middle income families, Indian Railways have introduced Amrit
Bharat services that are fully non-AC modern trains. The present
composition of Amrit Bharat consists of 11 General Class coaches, 8
Sleeper Class coaches, 01 Pantry car and 02 Luggage cum Divyangjan
coaches. High Speed and enhanced Safety standards are the
hallmarks of these trains with following enhanced features and
amenities:
i. Better aesthetics of seat and berths with enhanced look & feel
on the lines of Vande Bharat Sleeper.
ii. Jerk Free Semi-Automatic Couplers.
iii. Improved Crashworthiness in coaches by provision of crash tube.
iv. Provision of CCTV system in all coaches and Luggage room.
v. Improved designs of toilets.
vi. Improved design of Ladder for ease of climbing on to the berth.vii. Improved LED Light fitting & Charging Sockets.
viii. Provision of EP assisted braking system.
ix. Aerosol based fire suppression system in toilets and electrical
cubicles.
x. USB Type-A and Type-C mobile charging sockets.
xi. Emergency Talk Back system for two-way communication
between Passenger and Guard/Train Manager.
xii. Non-AC pantry with enhanced heating capacity.
xiii. Fully sealed gangways with quick release mechanism for easy
attachment and detachment.
To increase the capacity of the rail network and hence to run more
trains, Indian Railways have taken up network expansion works in a
big way.
Any Coach/Locomotive manufacturing/maintenance unit is set up
keeping in view Railway’s overall requirement of rolling stock. The
existing manufacturing and maintenance units and those already
planned are sufficient to cater the present requirements of Indian
Railways.
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