{
  "id": 4818473,
  "title": "India-Nepal rail link resumes: UP CM Yogi Adityanath flags off Varanasi-Nepalgunj trains",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/india-nepal-rail-link-resumes-up-cm-yogi-adityanath-flags-off",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-01T07:39:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/india/indianepal-rail-link-resumes-up-cm-yogi-adityanath-flags-off-varanasi-nepalgunj-trains-11788246112683.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Monday, train services between India and Nepal were reinstated after an absence of nearly ten years. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the new broad-gauge train service linking Varanasi and Nepalgunj Road. The inauguration ceremony took place in Bahraich, with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw attending the event remotely from New Delhi.\n\nExpressing his views on the significance of this connectivity, CM Adityanath commented on X platform: \"When connectivity improves, it gives us speed, and when that speed moves towards the destination in a positive direction, it forms the very foundation of progress.\"\n\nThe successful launch of the rail link marks the completion of converting a 56-kilometre stretch from meter-gauge to broad-gauge, a project costing ₹730 crore. This upgrade eliminates the limited connectivity that previously hampered trade and economic growth in the border area. During the event, Adityanath highlighted that the expanded rail network would enhance cross-border trade, support local agriculture, and promote regional development by turning Nanpara into a crucial transit hub.\n\nHe also emphasized that the direct rail connection would facilitate religious tourism by linking sacred sites across Nepal with prominent Indian cities like Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi. The new route will see regular operation of four trains: two express and two passenger/MEMU services, which will stop at a dozen key stations in Uttar Pradesh, providing direct access between the border region and major transportation hubs.\n\nThe Intercity Express (14214/14213) will depart from Nepalgunj Road at 4:00 AM and arrive in Varanasi at 1:35 PM, while the return journey departs Varanasi at 2:00 PM and reaches Nepalgunj Road at 11:00 PM. In addition, the Nepalgunj Road-Varanasi City Express (15131/15132) and passenger trains (75109/75110, 75111/75112) will operate from Gonda at 5:00 AM and 12:30 PM.\n\nTo kick off the train operations, a special 17-coach train (Train No. 05064) travelled from Nepalgunj Road to Varanasi City, making scheduled stops at Nanpara, Bahraich, Gonda, Balrampur, and Gorakhpur. Station Superintendent Rakesh Seth informed LiveHindustan that the majority of passengers on the inaugural day were travelling to Varanasi to visit Kashi Vishwanath temple. MP Dr Anand Gond also travelled on the train's first leg to Risiya.",
  "summary": "The launch marks the completion of the conversion of the 56-kilometre Bahraich-Nanpara-Nepalgunj rail section from an outdated meter-gauge system to a broad-gauge network.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}