Inauguration of Newly Constructed ROB in Bettiah by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

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Railway Minister Reviews Ongoing Redevelopment Works of Bettiah and Muzaffarpur Stations

Hajipur: On February 9, 2025, a grand ceremony was held in Bettiah to dedicate the newly constructed Road Over Bridge (#ROB) at Level Crossing No. 2 to the nation. The event was presided over by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways. In a symbolic gesture celebrating women empowerment, the inauguration was conducted by women representatives.

During the event, a strong demand was raised by the gathered public and dignitaries for the introduction of a Vande Bharat train between Gorakhpur and Patna via Bettiah. The Minister assured that the demand would be considered and mentioned that several new Vande Bharat trains would soon be introduced across India. He also reviewed the 3D model of the redeveloped Bettiah railway station, which is being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Minister of State for Coal & Mines, Satish Chandra Dubey; MP Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal; MP Sunil Kumar; MP Gopal Thakur; and several MLAs and other esteemed dignitaries. Senior railway officials, including General Manager of East Central Railway, Chhatrasal Singh, and Divisional Railway Manager of Samastipur Division, Vinay Srivastava, were also present.

Rail Budget Allocation for Bihar at a Record High

Following the event, the Minister addressed a press conference at #Bettiah railway station, where he highlighted the massive increase in railway budget allocation for Bihar. He stated that between 2009 and 2014, Bihar used to receive an average annual railway budget of ₹1,132 crore, whereas in the current year, the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has allocated a record ₹10,066 crore for Bihar. This is nearly nine times the previous allocation.

This increased budget has resulted in record levels of new railway line construction, electrification, introduction of new trains, station redevelopment, and enhanced passenger amenities in Bihar. The Minister further announced that ₹95,566 crore is being invested for the comprehensive transformation of Bihar’s railway infrastructure over the next five years.

He also highlighted that:

  • 2009-2014: An average of 64 km of new railway lines was constructed annually in Bihar.
  • 2014-2025: This increased to an average of 167 km per year, which is 2.6 times higher.
  • Since 2014, a total of 1,832 km of new railway lines have been constructed in Bihar, equivalent to the total railway network of Malaysia.
  • Since 2014, 3,020 km of railway tracks have been electrified, achieving 100% electrification in Bihar.

Key Railway Projects in Champaran & Bihar

The Minister also announced that under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 98 railway stations in Bihar, including Bettiah, Bapudham Motihari, Narkatiaganj, and Raxaul, are being redeveloped.

Additionally, the Cabinet has approved the doubling of the Narkatiaganj-Raxaul-Sitamarhi-Darbhanga railway section. Currently, doubling work is underway on the Valmikinagar-Sagauli and Sagauli-Muzaffarpur railway sections. Upon completion, these projects will enable the operation of more trains in the region.

Inspection of Gorakhpur-Valmikinagar-Bettiah Section

Earlier in the day, the Hon’ble Minister conducted a window trailing inspection of the Gorakhpur-Valmikinagar-Bettiah railway section via a special train. He was warmly welcomed by local citizens and railway officials at Valmikinagar, Bagaha, and Narkatiaganj railway stations.

Completion of ₹103 Crore ROB in Bettiah

The newly constructed Road Over Bridge (ROB) at Level Crossing No. 02 near Bettiah (Chhawani) was approved with a total cost of ₹103 crore to ease traffic congestion in Bettiah city.

  • March 2024: Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bettiah-Lauria lane of the ROB.
  • May 2024: The Mainatand and Narkatiaganj lanes were opened.
  • January 2025: The final phase of the ROB was completed and dedicated to the nation by the Hon’ble Railway Minister.
  • This ROB will significantly reduce traffic congestion, improve road connectivity, and enhance railway safety.

Redevelopment of Muzaffarpur Jn

After inaugurating the ROB in Bettiah, the Hon’ble Minister proceeded to Muzaffarpur Junction, where he reviewed the 3D model of the redeveloped station. He announced that Muzaffarpur Junction is being developed into a world-class station at a cost of ₹442 crore.

During a press briefing in Muzaffarpur, he also mentioned: The government plans to introduce 100 Amrit Bharat trains for long-distance travel and 50 Namo Bharat trains for short distances.

  • 95,000 new railway jobs are in process.
  • Last year, 1.51 lakh recruitments were done transparently by Indian Railways.

This release highlights the continued commitment of the Government of India to transforming railway infrastructure in Bihar and improving connectivity for its people.