Railway Gate LC-16 on Lar-Belthara Road Closes Daily for Infrastructure Upgrades

Daily commuters and road users traveling through the Lar-Belthara Road section need to plan their journeys carefully as railway authorities have announced temporary restrictions. Railway level crossing gate LC-16 will remain temporarily closed to traffic daily from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM to facilitate crucial infrastructure development. This temporary closure is essential for carrying out rapid railway doubling and electrification works in the region, which promise long-term benefits for the entire network.

The daytime closure is part of the extensive 117-kilometer Bhatni-Aunrihar doubling initiative designed to significantly enhance operational efficiency, reduce congestion, and improve train punctuality across the network. As work progresses on the Belthara Road to Lar Road segment, several key milestones have already been successfully achieved on this vital corridor.

Recent Milestones and Progress

Significant infrastructure achievements mark the advancement of this regional rail project. The 14.53-kilometer section between Pihcol and Lar Road successfully underwent inspection and speed trials by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) on March 25, 2026. Furthermore, to ensure seamless connectivity on the Varanasi-Bhatni route, a new 1.8-kilometer rail bridge over the Ghaghra River at Turtipar was finalized on December 24, 2025. Meanwhile, the double line connecting Lar Road to Bhatni Junction was officially declared operational as of October 28, 2025.

Future Benefits for Passengers

The ongoing upgrade works are targeted at eliminating traditional bottlenecks caused by single-line operations. Once fully completed, these infrastructure enhancements will streamline train movements and pave the way for the future introduction of high-speed train services, such as the Vande Bharat express, bringing modern and faster travel options to passengers in the region.