Patna: Two major districts of Bihar, Saharsa and Darbhanga, got connected with rail traffic via Supaul and Nirmali after an extraneous wait of around 88 years. With this, entire Mithilanchal region of North Bihar, which remained divided in two for years, have been connected now. Rail traffic on this section was disrupted due to an earthquake in the year 1934.
Minister of Railways Ashwani Vashnaw today inaugurated a newly built rail track on this Saharsa-Darbhanga section through video conferencing from Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Vaishnaw said the restoration of rail services on this section fulfills long-pending demand of the people living on Darbhanga and Sarhara, who have been residing in other sides of the river Kosi.
₹6,600Cr allotted for Bihar
A sum of Rs 6,600 crore has been allotted this year for the development of rail infrastructure and passengers’ amenities in Bihar, said the Railway Minister. Of the total 38-km track, 32-km rail line between Jhanjharpur and Nirmali has been upgraded to the broad gauge, while six-km railway line between Nirmali and Asanpur Kupha has been built new.
The Jhanjharpur-Nirmali-Asanpur Kupha section was part of a 206-km long track upgrade programme undertaken by the Ministry of Railways. Work to upgrade the entire stretch of Sakri-Laukaha Bazar-Nirmali-Saharsa-Forbesganj is going on in full drive at the cost of Rs 1,584 crore.
Mega bridge on Kosi
A mega bridge on the turbulent river Kosi falling on this section was also built at the cost of Rs 491 crore earlier. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the bridge on September 18, 2020. The upgrade project has suffered delays due to outbreak of Covid19 pandemic.
DEMU trains started
The Minister also flagged off the Jhanjharpur – Saharsa DEMU special passenger train services on the Jhanjharpur – Nirmali, and Nirmali – Asanpur Kupha routes as the conversion of the new broad gauge lines have been completed on these routes.
