The Malda Railway Division has started working on a major plan to improve train maintenance facilities in Bhagalpur. A new pitline will be constructed in Barari to address the shortage of space at the existing coaching yard. This development is crucial for managing the increasing number of trains operating from the city.
What is the plan for the new pitline?
Bhagalpur station currently handles about 1.5 dozen major trains, such as the Vikramshila Express, Anga Express, and Amarnath Express. The current yard does not have enough capacity for proper shunting and maintenance. The new project in Barari aims to fix this issue.
According to the plan, the railway will lay 4 to 5 stabling lines. This will allow the staff to service 5 to 6 trains at the same time. This expansion is also necessary for upcoming trains. It will facilitate the maintenance of the Bhagalpur-Howrah Vande Bharat and the extended Lucknow-Barauni Express. A specialized team from Delhi is expected to arrive soon to finalize the layout.
Land clearance and track details
The railway owns approximately 15 to 20 acres of land in Barari. Tracks used to exist on this route 40 years ago but were removed when the Vikramshila Bridge was built. Now, a new line will be laid connecting Gopalpur to Barari to restart operations.
To move forward, the administration has served notices to remove encroachments on railway land between Bhikhanpur Gumti No. 2 and Barari. A deadline of February 25, 2026, has been set for clearing the structures. Assistant Engineer Rambalak Mahto is overseeing the process. The project also includes an underground passage near Gumti No. 3 and a water supply pipeline from the Ganga for cleaning coaches.