**Summary:**
This document addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1782, posed on July 30, 2025, regarding the need for a new train service from Bihar to Kota, Rajasthan, specifically to serve students from North Bihar. The question highlights the existing Avadh Express's overcrowding and lengthy travel time for passengers from Champaran.
The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting, and Electronics Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, responded that the railway network operates across state boundaries and new trains are introduced based on network requirements. Currently, the Kota-Bapudham Motihari sector is served by two pairs of train services, including the 09451/09452 Gandhidham-Bhagalpur Special, which addresses passenger surge.
To further facilitate travel for passengers in the Gorakhpur-Narkatiaganj sector, Indian Railways introduced the 15567/68 Bapudham Motihari-Anand Vihar T Amrit Bharat Express (effective July 18, 2025), with stops at Bettiah, Narkatiaganj, and Gorakhpur, and the 15561/62 Darbhanga-Gomtinagar Amrit Bharat Express with stops at Narkatiaganj and Gorakhpur. Additionally, the 26501/02 Gorakhpur-Patliputra Vande Bharat Express, with a stop at Narkatiaganj, was introduced on June 20, 2025. The introduction of new trains remains an ongoing process, contingent upon traffic justification, operational feasibility, and resource availability.
Key Entities Referenced
Kota, Rajasthan: City in Rajasthan, a known hub for student coaching, mentioned as a destination for students from Bihar.
Bihar: State in India, mentioned as the origin of students traveling to Kota.
SHRI SUNIL KUMAR: Member of Parliament who raised the question about train connectivity to Kota.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Avadh Express: Existing train from Champaran to Kota, reported to be overcrowded.
Champaran: Region in Bihar, mentioned as the origin point for passengers traveling to Kota.
Narkatiaganj: A railway station and route via which new trains are proposed for the convenience of students from Champaran.
Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh: A city in Uttar Pradesh, mentioned as a stop in the proposed train route.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1782
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
RUNNING OF A NEW TRAIN TO KOTA FROM BIHAR
†1782. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that thousands of students from North Bihar
study at Kota in Rajasthan, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether there is only one train from Champaran to Kota namely
Avadh Express which is overcrowded with the passengers from
Gujarat and Maharashtra and takes much time, if so, the details
thereof; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to run a train via Narkatiaganj-
Gorakhpur route for the convenience of students from Champaran, if
so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c) The railway network straddles across State boundaries,
trains are introduced, as per network requirement, across such
boundaries. Presently, Kota-Bapudham Motihari sector is being served
by 02 pairs of train services including 01 pair of special train service
viz. 09451/09452 Gandhidham -Bhagalpur Special cater to the extra
rush of passengers.
- - -2/--2-
To facilitate the passengers of Gorakhpur-Narkatiaganj sector, Indian
Railways (IR), w.e.f. 18th July, 2025, have introduced 15567/68
Bapudham Motihari-Anand Vihar(T) Amrit Bharat Express [with
stoppages at Bettiah, Narkatiaganj, Gorakhpur] and 15561/62
Darbhanga-Gomtinagar Amrit Bharat Express [with stoppages at
Narkatiaganj, Gorakhpur]. IR have also introduced 26501/02
Gorakhpur-Patliputra Vande Bharat Express [with stoppage at
Narkatiaganj] w.e.f 20th June, 2025.
Besides, introduction of new trains is an on-going processe on Indian
Railways, subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility,
availability of resources, etc.
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