North Eastern Railway connects Nepalganj Road with regular train services starting September 1, 2026, following broad-gauge conversion and electrification. Passengers travelling between India and Nepal will benefit from improved cross-border connectivity and direct train operations. Here are the key details of the new rail link: Regular services begin on September 1, 2026, on the newly converted 56.15 km Bahraich-Nepalganj Road section. An inaugural special train numbered 05064 will depart Nepalganj Road for Varanasi City on August 31 at 2:45 PM. The Varanasi City-Gorakhpur Express is extended to Nepalganj Road as part of the new timetable. A new Intercity Express and two pairs of MEMU/passenger trains will also serve the route.
The monumental project features the successful gauge conversion and electrification of the 56.15 km Bahraich-Nepalganj Road section. This upgraded route incorporates a major bridge, 10 small bridges, and three limited-height sub-ways. An official inaugural ceremony is scheduled for
August 31, 2026, at 1:30 PM at the Nepalganj Road Railway Station.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will attend the event in person, while
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will join virtually from Delhi. Additionally,
MP Dr. Anand Gond will perform the official flag-off from Bahraich. Sumit Kumar, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Eastern Railway, confirmed that the inaugural special train
05064 Nepalganj Road-Varanasi City Inaugural Special will run with 17 coaches and arrive in Varanasi City at 5:25 AM the following day. Arijeet Singh, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, noted that this infrastructure milestone seamlessly connects Varanasi and Nepalganj Road via Gorakhpur and Bahraich.
Regular operations include the extension of the
15132/15131 Varanasi City-Gorakhpur Express to Nepalganj Road.
Train 15132 will depart Varanasi City at
10:35 PM, reaching Gorakhpur at
4:00 AM and Nepalganj Road at
11:45 AM. The return service,
train 15131, will depart Nepalganj Road at
4:30 PM, reaching Gorakhpur at
12:10 AM and Varanasi City at
5:30 AM. Furthermore, the
14213/14214 Varanasi-Nepalganj Road Intercity Express will launch, with
train 14213 departing Varanasi Junction at
2:00 PM to arrive at
11:00 PM. Two additional pairs of MEMU and passenger trains will also operate between Gonda and Nepalganj Road to boost local mobility.
This vital rail link aims to facilitate easier travel for residents, traders, students, and pilgrims across Purvanchal and neighboring regions. Looking ahead, a survey conducted between March and April 2026 by RK Techno Consultancy has explored a potential
16.5 km extension from Rupaidiha to Kohalpur, Nepal, addressing ongoing regional demands to further expand cross-border rail infrastructure.
