Kishanganj & Thakurganj Restaurant on Wheels Project Stalled
The Restaurant on Wheels project at Kishanganj and Thakurganj stations is stalled, leaving rail coaches to rust for over three years.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) "Restaurant on Wheels" project at Kishanganj and Thakurganj stations has been stalled for over three years, leaving ambitious infrastructure to decay. What was intended to be a unique dining experience for travelers has instead become a source of frustration due to persistent departmental and contractual delays.
A Vision Trapped in Red Tape
Designed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the initiative was meant to boost non-fare revenue for the railways. However, the project has been trapped in a cycle of tendering issues and complexities for more than three and a half years.
The timeline of the delay highlights the stagnation:
- Kishanganj Station: The dedicated rail coach arrived in 2022 but remains unused.
- Thakurganj Station: Although the tendering process concluded in July 2024 and the coach arrived in August 2024, the project missed its promised opening during Durga Puja 2024.
Coaches Left to Rust
Instead of serving meals, the stationary coaches are currently deteriorating on the station premises. Local resident Rajesh Shyam Sukh reported that the coach at Thakurganj has already begun to rust while awaiting its long-delayed inauguration.
The infrastructure, meant to enhance the passenger experience, is currently sitting abandoned.
Recent Inspections and Amrit Bharat Scheme
On October 27, 2026, Kirendra Narah, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Katihar Division, conducted an inspection of the Thakurganj railway station. This visit was part of a review of development works under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
During the inspection, the DRM discussed the cafeteria rail coach and instructed the contractor to ensure that construction quality meets the required standards. Despite this oversight, the project remains non-operational, leaving the expensive rail coaches to sit idle on the station premises.