Darbhanga Member of Parliament Dr. Gopaljee Thakur raised critical demands regarding the construction of new rail lines in the Mithila region. During the Railway Standing Committee meeting held in Delhi on April 18, 2026, he urged the central authorities to remove all administrative and technical hurdles. The focus remains on the proposed routes from Laheriasarai to Saharsa and Laheriasarai to Muzaffarpur, which are expected to transform regional connectivity.
Major project specifications and current connectivity status
The proposed rail lines aim to reduce travel time significantly between major districts of Bihar. The Saharsa line involves complex engineering due to the Kosi river, while the Muzaffarpur line focuses on enhancing the existing network capacity. A consultant agency is currently revising the detailed project report for the Saharsa route to optimize costs as per Railway Board instructions following the return of the previous proposal in late 2024.
| Project Name | Length (km) | Estimated Cost | Stations and Halts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laheriasarai-Saharsa | 95 km | ₹2376 Crore | 10 Stations, 2 Halts |
| Laheriasarai-Muzaffarpur | 66 km | ₹1213 Crore | 4 Stations, 3 Halts |
Impact on Mithila region and tourism development
Dr. Thakur emphasized that these projects will act as a lifeline for the people of Mithila and Kosi areas. Beyond connectivity, the MP highlighted the need for railway-based industries and the development of the Janaki Circuit to boost tourism and employment. The new Saharsa line will cut travel time from the current 6 hours to less than 3 hours, making it easier for citizens to access judicial and educational services in Darbhanga. These initiatives are being tracked under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for infrastructure development in Bihar.