East Central Railway has officially linked the rural belts of Kosi and Seemanchal in Bihar with the national capital and the state capital. Areas such as Laukaha Bazar, Lalitgram, and Raghopur have seen the introduction of new train services to Delhi and Patna during the 2025-26 period. This expansion of the rail network is expected to bridge the transport gap for thousands of daily commuters and long-distance travelers from these formerly remote regions.
Which Stations Have Been Upgraded to Junction Status?
The railway administration has granted the status of ‘Junction’ to six key stations under the Samastipur Division starting from March 15, 2026. This change reflects the increasing complexity and connectivity of these stations as they now serve multiple rail directions. No changes have been made to the numerical or alphabetical codes of these stations to ensure smooth ticketing operations.
- Supaul: Connected via Supaul-Araria, Supaul-Saharsa, and Supaul-Saraigarh lines
- Saraigarh: A strategic link between the Kosi and Seemanchal belts
- Hasanpur Road: Key terminal for regional and long-distance special trains
- Sitamarhi, Kakraghati, and Shisho: Upgraded to manage growing rail traffic and operational needs
Major Railway Infrastructure Projects and New Train Schedules
The Ministry of Railways has allocated significant funds for new lines and train services to improve intra-state and interstate travel. Specifically, the Muzaffarpur-Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur-Katra-Janakpur Road projects have received a combined funding of 511 crore to expedite construction and reduce travel distance between these northern districts.
| Project or Train Name | Details and Key Information | Launch Date or Status |
|---|---|---|
| Purnea Court to Anand Vihar Express | Train No. 17326 running Tue, Fri, and Sun | March 15, 2026 |
| Patna to Rajgir Express | Daily service Train No. 13354/13353 | April 6, 2026 |
| Nawada to Laxmipur New Line | 137 km project costing 621.57 crore | Approved for 2026-27 |
| Kursela to Bihariganj Line | 58 km project with 170.8 crore budget | Work Commenced |
| Laukaha Bazar to Patna Service | Regular daily connectivity for rural areas | January 2026 |
| Raxaul to Kathmandu Project | 136 km line to reduce travel to 3 hours | Bilateral Agreement |

























