The event also marked the grand inauguration of the Mega Coaching Terminal at Khatipura, developed at a cost of ₹205 crore, along with several other upgraded passenger facilities across various stations. Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Darbhanga MP Gopal Ji Thakur joined the monumental event virtually via video conferencing. The introduction of this new train route is expected to significantly strengthen the social, cultural, and economic ties between Rajasthan and Bihar.

Key Highlights of the Event:

• Amrit Bharat Express Launched: A new, highly affordable, and modern train service connecting Jaipur (Rajasthan) to Darbhanga (Bihar).
• Khatipura Mega Terminal: Inauguration of a ₹205 crore advanced coaching terminal capable of maintaining up to 450 trains.
• Gift for Khatu Shyamji Devotees: Announcement of a brand-new railway station at Sundarpura in Sikar to facilitate millions of pilgrims.
• Massive Budget Hike: Rajasthan’s railway budget has seen a 15-fold increase, jumping from ₹682 crore to ₹10,228 crore for the year 2026-27.

New Station at Sundarpura for Khatu Shyamji Pilgrims

Addressing the grand ceremony, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s transformative vision for the Indian Railways. Bringing cheer to millions of devotees, the Railway Minister made a major announcement regarding the development of a new railway station at Sundarpura in Sikar district. He emphasized that this new station will provide direct and seamless connectivity for the massive influx of pilgrims visiting the renowned Khatu Shyamji temple from all corners of the country.

Khatipura Mega Coaching Terminal to Decongest Jaipur Junction

Keeping in mind the rapid expansion of Jaipur and its future transit needs, the railways have constructed a cutting-edge Mega Coaching Terminal at Khatipura with an investment of ₹205 crore. The Railway Minister detailed that this massive facility will serve as a centralized hub for the maintenance of various train types, including Vande Bharat, DEMU, and LHB rakes. Capable of handling the maintenance of nearly 450 trains under one roof, this terminal will drastically boost the operational efficiency of the North Western Railway and significantly reduce the heavy traffic congestion at the main Jaipur Junction.

Record Growth in Rajasthan’s Railway Budget

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma highlighted the unprecedented overhaul of the Indian Railways under PM Modi’s leadership. Sharing statistical insights, the CM pointed out that between 2009 and 2014, Rajasthan received an average annual railway budget of a mere ₹682 crore. In stark contrast, due to the current government’s proactive efforts, the budget allocation for 2026-27 has been amplified by 15 times, reaching a staggering ₹10,228 crore.

The Chief Minister informed the gathering that railway projects worth over ₹76,800 crore are currently progressing at a rapid pace across the state. Furthermore, five pairs of Vande Bharat trains are successfully operating in Rajasthan, and approximately 3,900 kilometers of new railway tracks have been laid since 2014.

Dedicated Freight Corridor and Track Doubling Projects

CM Sharma stated that the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) is emerging as the primary engine of Rajasthan’s economic progress. A massive investment of around ₹14,700 crore is being poured into the 567 route kilometers of this corridor passing through the state. In addition, several major infrastructure projects are swiftly advancing, including:

• Track doubling for Agra-Bandikui and Ajmer-Chittorgarh routes.
• New rail lines connecting Pushkar-Merta and Shyopur Kalan-Kota.
• Track doubling for Sawai Madhopur-Jaipur and Luni-Bhildi routes.
• Taranga Hill-Abu Road new rail line.
• Construction of third and fourth rail lines between Mathura and Nagda.

Conclusion: The flagging off of the Jaipur-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express and the inauguration of the Khatipura Mega Terminal serve as a massive boost to the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) and ‘Viksit Rajasthan’. The launch ceremony was graced by the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, MP Ghanshyam Tiwari, MP Manju Sharma, MLA Kailash Chand Verma, along with senior railway officials, public representatives, and a large number of enthusiastic citizens.

Disclaimer: This news report is based on official press releases issued by the Indian Railways and the State Public Relations Department. It has been crafted for informational purposes to provide fair and accurate updates. For exact train timings, stoppages, and ticket bookings, please refer to the official IRCTC portal or Indian Railways website.

The post Jaipur-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express Flagged Off: ₹205 Crore Khatipura Terminal Inaugurated, New Station for Khatu Shyamji appeared first on Mission Ki Awaaz.

In a significant development for regional connectivity, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, inaugurated several key railway infrastructure projects at the Jodhpur Railway Station on Friday. These initiatives are set to provide a massive boost to tourism, trade, and passenger convenience across the state.

Vande Bharat Upgraded for Higher Capacity

Responding to the growing demand for premium rail travel, the Railway Ministry has announced a major upgrade to the Jodhpur-Delhi Cantt Vande Bharat Superfast Express.

• Capacity Expansion: Starting May 24, 2026, the train’s composition will be increased from 8 to 20 coaches.
• Configuration: The upgraded train will feature 2 Executive Chair Cars, 16 AC Chair Cars, and 2 Driver Power Cars.
• Impact: This enhancement will significantly increase seat availability, providing a more comfortable and efficient travel experience for passengers on this high-demand route.

Connectivity Boost: Jaisalmer and Sabarmati Link

The popular Sabarmati-Jodhpur Express has been extended to serve the tourism hub of Jaisalmer.

• Train No. 20486 (Sabarmati-Jaisalmer): Departing Sabarmati at 7:00 AM, it will reach Jodhpur at 2:40 PM and arrive in Jaisalmer at 8:30 PM.
• Train No. 20485 (Jaisalmer-Sabarmati): Departing Jaisalmer at 6:30 AM, it will reach Jodhpur at 11:40 AM and reach Sabarmati at 8:00 PM.

New Infrastructure and Maintenance Facilities

A state-of-the-art Coach Care Complex, built at a cost of ₹67 crore in Jaisalmer, was also inaugurated. This facility will enhance the maintenance capacity for trains, allowing for the operation of more rail services and ensuring better amenities for passengers.

A Decade of Railway Transformation in Rajasthan

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the unprecedented financial commitment to Rajasthan’s railway sector:

• Record Budgeting: The current budgetary allocation for railway development in Rajasthan has surged to approximately ₹10,000 crore, compared to the historical average of ₹700–800 crore.
• Ongoing Projects: Doubling work is progressing rapidly on key sections, including Dhangra-Bandikui, Ajmer-Chittorgarh, Luni-Bhildi, and Rewari-Khatuwas.
• Future Outlook: Plans are underway to launch a new Jodhpur-Haridwar rail service within the next 10 months. Furthermore, 25 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals are being developed across the state to streamline trade and logistics.

Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat noted that Indian Railways is evolving into a world-class network. He emphasized that the redevelopment of railway stations—such as the Pink City-themed Jaipur station and the redeveloped Jaisalmer station—is transforming these transport hubs into major attractions for tourists.

Disclaimer: This report is based on official government press releases and public information. For real-time updates regarding train schedules, route modifications, or ticket bookings, passengers are advised to consult the official Indian Railways website or the ‘NTES’ mobile application.

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