PM to flag off 2nd Vande Bharat train for Gorakhpur today

Gorakhpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually flag off the second Vande Bharat Express for Gorakhpur on Friday, said Satish Kumar, CEO and chairman, railway board, during his visit to Gorakhpur Junction on Thursday. The new train will connect Patliputra to Gorakhpur via Muzaffarpur and Narkatiaganj, further boosting connectivity in the region.

Accompanied by NER general manager Saumya Mathur and senior railway officials, Kumar conducted an extensive inspection of station premises, integrated crew lobby, running room, and other passenger facilities. He also reviewed the station redevelopment plans under the Rs 500-crore Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which aims to equip Gorakhpur Junction with world-class amenities including a roof plaza, spacious lounges, food courts, retail outlets, children's play zones and Divyang-friendly infrastructure like ramps, lifts and Braille signage.

Praising quality and pace of redevelopment, Kumar said Gorakhpur Junction, which already holds distinction of having the world's second-longest platform, is poised to become a leader in passenger comfort as well.

He highlighted a record budget allocation of Rs 19,858 crore for railway development in UP for 2025-26—18 times more than the average outlay during 2009–2014. He noted that 157 stations in the state, including 58 in the NER zone, were being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat scheme.

He also provided updates on major capacity expansion projects such as new lines and third-line construction across eastern UP, including the Khalilabad-Bahraich corridor and doubling work between Domingarh and Kusmhi.

During his visit, Kumar also held a cordial dialogue with union leaders, assuring them that employee concerns around promotions, wages, and workplace safety will be addressed on priority.