Dhaurahra residents petition for new rail line to improve connectivity and wildlife safety

Residents of the Dhaurahra region in Lakhimpur Kheri have submitted a formal memorandum to MLA Vinod Shankar Awasthi, urgently requesting the construction of a new railway line to connect their area. The local community emphasized that the existing rail infrastructure is outdated and frequently causes train accidents involving wild animals, highlighting an urgent need for modernization. MLA Vinod Shankar Awasthi has assured residents that he will personally forward their memorandum to the Union Railway Minister for immediate consideration.

This push for infrastructure development follows recent significant advancements in regional rail planning. On August 8, 2026, the Railway Minister approved a survey for an alternative railway line connecting Mailani, Bhira, and Raiboja to provide direct connectivity between Bahraich and Lakhimpur. This proposed route, which includes six bridges and one arch bridge, is specifically designed to bypass the environmentally sensitive Dudhwa National Park and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.

Recent Rail Infrastructure Sanctions

Furthermore, in July 2025, the Ministry of Railways sanctioned a Final Location Survey for a 120-kilometer broad gauge line between Bheera Kheri and Raiboja, with an estimated cost of Rs 3.58 crore. These efforts complement the broader infrastructure upgrades approved by the Union Cabinet on April 18, 2026, which include the Rs 14,926 crore Ghaziabad–Sitapur 3rd and 4th line project spanning 403 kilometers to bolster the Delhi–Guwahati High-Density Network.