Agra Railway Manthan: MPs Demand Vande Bharat & More Stoppages
A high-level consultative meeting titled 'Railway Manthan' was held on Friday, October 9, 2026, at the Taj Convention Hotel in Agra to discuss the future of regional rail infrastructure. The session, which prominently featured several Agra Vande Bharat demands, was chaired by Union Minister of State S.P. Singh Baghel, with North Central Railway General Manager Naresh Pal Singh and Agra Divisional Railway Manager Gagan Goyal in attendance.
The meeting saw participation from various Members of Parliament representing Agra, Mathura, Dholpur, Fatehpur Sikri, Bharatpur, Dausa, Alwar, Faridabad, and Etawah. These representatives voiced critical needs for improved connectivity and passenger amenities across the division.
Major Demands for Vande Bharat and Express Trains
A primary focus of the discussion was the enhancement of premium services. Lawmakers urged the authorities to prioritize the following:
- Resumption of the Agra-Udaipur Vande Bharat Express: Passengers have been waiting for this vital service to return to the tracks.
- Increased Frequency: A request was made to operate Vande Bharat Express train number 22470 on a six-day-a-week schedule.
- Gwalior-Ratlam Express Extension: To assist pilgrims traveling to Ujjain, it was suggested that this train be extended to originate from Agra.
- Reinstatement of EMU Services: The Idgah-Bayana EMU service was highlighted for immediate restoration.
Proposed Stoppages and New Rail Routes
To improve accessibility for commuters, several existing trains were proposed for additional halts. These include the Gatimaan Express at Mathura Junction, the Kanpur-Delhi Shatabdi at Tundla, and the Jammu Mail at Etawah. Additional requests were also made for services at Fafund, Jalesar Road, and Agra Cantt.
Regarding new infrastructure, the meeting addressed several proposed rail lines and expansions, such as:
- Increasing the frequency of the Agra-Etah line.
- Extending the Etawah-Agra Cantt MEMU to Bandikui.
- The proposed rail line from Agra to Bayana via Khairagarh, Jagner, and Tantpur.
- Potential new lines connecting Fatehabad, Dholpur, and Firozabad.
Station Upgrades and Urban Connectivity
The meeting also delved into station-level improvements and urban challenges. At Mathura Junction, there is an urgent need for a foot-over-bridge to connect platforms 1, 2, 8, 9, and 10. Meanwhile, stations like Fatehabad and Shamshabad Town require upgraded reservation facilities and platform enhancements.
Urban issues were also brought to the forefront, including the need for:
- Rail-over-bridges (ROB): Specifically at Mathura Gate and Ikran Gate.
- Drainage Solutions: Redesigning railway underpasses to prevent recurring waterlogging.
- Traffic Management: Addressing congestion near the Agra Idgah bridge caused by an FCI warehouse.
In an effort to boost the local economy, lawmakers recommended implementing the 'One Station One Product' scheme at Fatehpur Sikri, which would provide a platform to promote local specialties like petha and namkeen.
Railway officials concluded the meeting by stating that proposals for new train stoppages have already been forwarded to the Railway Board, while other development projects are currently undergoing review or approval processes.