India and Nepal are working to start a direct train service between Janakpur and Ayodhya. This project will help pilgrims and travelers move easily between the two countries. High-level meetings were held in Kathmandu on June 11-12, 2026, to finalize the operational rules for the service.
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What is the proposed timetable for the train
The Nepal Railway Company Limited has released a tentative schedule for the weekly service. The train will depart from Janakpur at 1:30 PM on Saturdays and reach Ayodhya at 4:00 AM on Sundays. For the return trip, the train will leave Ayodhya at 5:00 PM on Sundays and arrive back in Janakpur by 7:30 AM on Monday morning.
Who is managing the project and what is the plan
The project involves the Indian Ministry of Railways, Nepal Railway Company Limited, and the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport of Nepal. IRCON International is handling the execution of the railway works. Nepal’s government also plans to eventually extend this service from Janakpur to New Delhi via Ayodhya, with the Janakpur-Ayodhya section being the first step.
Current status of the rail service
Niranjan Jha, Managing Director of Nepal Railway Company Limited, confirmed that the service is in the final stages of preparation. Balaram Mishra from the Railway Board also mentioned that the service, which was stopped earlier, will now resume at least once a week. An official date for the inauguration will be announced soon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the timings for the Janakpur-Ayodhya train?
The train is proposed to leave Janakpur at 1:30 PM on Saturday and reach Ayodhya at 4:00 AM Sunday. It returns from Ayodhya at 5:00 PM Sunday and reaches Janakpur at 7:30 AM Monday.
Will this train go beyond Ayodhya in the future?
Yes, Nepal’s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has a plan to extend the railway service from Janakpur to New Delhi via Ayodhya.