The Minister of Railways has provided an answer to Unstarred Question No. 1657 concerning the operation of an air-conditioned express train from Ayodhya Dham Junction to Delhi/New Delhi via Lucknow, connecting to pilgrimage sites including Naimisharanya, Misrikh, and Sitapur City Railway Station. To facilitate passengers of the Delhi-Lucknow-Ayodhya sector, the 22425/22426 Ayodhya Cantt. - Anand Vihar (T) Vande Bharat Express (with fully AC chair car coaches) was introduced w.e.f 04.01.2024, in addition to 8 pairs of train services with AC accommodation. The 15557/15558 Darbhanga-Anand Vihar (T) Amrit Bharat Express also serves the sector. Currently, Balamau is served by 17 pairs of train services, Sitapur by 26 pairs, and Naimisharanya by 02 pairs, connecting it to Sitapur/Balamau. The introduction of new trains on any route/section depends on factors such as capacity, path availability, rolling stock, infrastructure, and maintenance requirements. The Minister of Railways is Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: Primary subject; the government ministry responsible for railway operations.
Vande Bharat Express: A type of express train introduced to facilitate passengers on the Delhi-Lucknow-Ayodhya sector.
Ayodhya Dham Junction: Starting point of the proposed train route.
Delhi: Ending point of the proposed train route.
Amrit Bharat Express: Another type of express train which also serves the sector.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1657
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025
TRAIN FROM AYODHYA DHAM TO DELHI
†1657. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Union Government has conducted any survey regarding
the operation of an air-conditioned express train from Ayodhya Dham
Junction, Uttar Pradesh, to Delhi/New Delhi via Lucknow via Balamau
Junction to the ancient pilgrimage sites of Naimisharanya, Misrikh and
Sitapur City Railway Station;
(b) if so, the timeline by when the air-conditioned express train is likely to
be operated from Ayodhya Dham Junction to Delhi/New Delhi connecting
the said pilgrimage sites in public interest; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c) To facilitate the passengers of Delhi-Lucknow-Ayodhya sector,
22425/22426 Ayodhya Cantt. - Anand Vihar (T) Vande Bharat Express
(fully AC chair car coaches) have been introduced w.e.f 04.01.2024,
which is in addition to 8 pairs of train services which are also having AC
accommodation in their composition. Moreover, 15557/15558 Darbhanga-
Anand Vihar (T) Amrit Bharat Express also serves the said sector.
Balamau and Sitapur are presently served by 17 pairs and 26 pairs of
train services respectively while Naimisharanya is served by 02 pairs of
train services, connecting it to Sitapur/Balamau.
Besides, introduction of new trains 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.
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