140-Year-Old UP Rail Section Converted to Broad Gauge, Electrified
Railways completes gauge conversion and electrification of the 140-year-old Nepalganj Road-Bahraich section in UP, extending four trains.
The Ministry of Railways has completed a major infrastructure upgrade on the 140-year-old Nepalganj Road-Nanpara-Bahraich rail section in Uttar Pradesh. The 56.15-kilometre route has been converted from metre gauge to Broad Gauge (BG) and fully electrified at a cost of approximately Rs 730 crore.
The section, originally constructed in 1886, now operates as part of the broader BG network. The upgrade improves rail connectivity for stations including Bahraich, Risiya, Matera, Nanpara, Babaganj, and Nepalganj Road.
The project was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Speaking virtually, Vaishnaw noted that the section is now linked to the wider BG network and highlighted that the national gauge conversion programme is nearing completion.
To complement the infrastructure work, the Railways has extended four long-distance train services up to Nepalganj Road. These include the 14213/14214 Varanasi-Bahraich Express, the 15132/15131 Varanasi City-Gorakhpur Express, and two pairs of Gonda-Bahraich trains (75109/75110 and 75111/75112).
The extensions provide direct connectivity from Nepalganj Road to Gonda, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, and other major cities. The Railways stated that the move fulfils a long-standing demand of local residents and will improve access to urban and economic centres. It is also expected to benefit people from neighbouring Nepal travelling for employment, education, healthcare, and trade.
The upgrade is seen as a boost for Bahraich, an aspirational district, by supporting the movement of people and goods. The Railways said the direct BG connection will open wider markets for local products and strengthen economic linkages between border areas and major cities in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.