The railways have announced its plans to convert 55 stations on the East Central Railway (ECR) into model stations, with upgraded facilities. A comprehensive plan has been drawn up to upgrade these stations, with the aim of providing passengers with an easier and more comfortable experience. In particular, stations such as Patna Junction, Rajendra Nagar Terminal and Patna Sahib are part of this development.

The railways want to improve rail connections by introducing the Vande Bharat Express and increasing the speed limit of selected trains to 160 km per hour.

It was reported that in the first or second week of August, the railways were planning to launch a semi-high-speed train of the Vande Bharat Express between Patna and Howrah. This would be the second Vande Bharat Express for Bihar, following the successful launch of the train on the Patna-Ranchi Line on June 27.

The Patna-Howrah Vande Bharat Express was expected to cover a distance of 535 kilometers in about seven hours. Although the fare had not yet been finalized, it was expected to be Rs 2,650 for the AC Executive Class and Rs 1,450 for the AC Chair Car for a single journey, including meals or breakfast.

In addition, as part of the railway platform redevelopment plan, various amenities would be offered, including free Wi-Fi, kiosks with local products, an improved passenger information system, executive lounges, dedicated areas for business meetings and improved landscaping.

The ambitious plan also included improvements to the station building on both sides of the city, promoting multimodal integration, meeting the needs of persons with disabilities (divyangjans), creating an eco-friendly atmosphere and providing a rooftop square for the convenience of passengers.

Key words: Railway, East Central Railway, ECR, Patna Junction, Rajendra Nagar Terminal, Patna Sahib, Vande Bharat Express.