Indian Railways has brought good news for passengers traveling between Bihar and Jharkhand. The frequency of the Ara-Ranchi Express (18639/18640) is proposed to be increased from three days to six days a week. As per the new proposal by East Central Railway and South Eastern Railway, the train will now cover two different routes during the week to benefit more passengers in the Palamu division.
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New Route and Schedule Details
Currently, the train runs only three days a week via Gomoh and Gaya. Under the new plan, the service will expand to six days with a split schedule:
- Existing Route: For 3 days, the train will continue to run via Gomoh, Koderma, and Gaya.
- New Route: For the other 3 days, the train will run via Sasaram, Sonnagar, Daltonganj, Tori, and Lohardaga.
This change introduces a direct rail link between Ara and the Palamu division for the first time. The route via Lohardaga and Tori is shorter, which is expected to save travel time for passengers going to Ranchi.
Who Will Benefit From This Move?
This decision is aimed at helping students, patients, and government employees who travel frequently between these cities. Earlier, passengers from Palamu had to change trains at Gaya or Sasaram to reach Ara. With the direct connectivity, this hassle will end. The train will continue to operate with modern LHB coaches including AC and Sleeper classes. The final date for the start of the 6-day service is expected to be announced soon by the railways.