Let's Roll with the Patliputra-Gorakhpur Vande Bharat Express!
Accelerated Journey, Contemporary Journey: Vande Bharat Train Cut Patliputra-Gorakhpur Commute by 2 Hours
Gear up, folks, as India's 71st Vande Bharat Express is about to take off! Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually waved it goodbye from Siwan, en route to connecting Patliputra in Bihar and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.
The new ride, planned to commence commercial operations soon, promises to slash travel time between the two cities by a whopping two hours, offering a swift and comfy journey for daily commuters.
Infrastructure News reported that the inaugural run started at around 1 pm from Patliputra station, surrounded by an excited crowd and festive celebrations. Sneak peeks at the tentative schedule suggest the train will depart from Gorakhpur at 5:40 am and touch down at Patliputra at 12:45 pm daily, except Saturdays.
Local BJP MLA Sanjiv Chaurasia lauded it as a "gift from Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi," stressing that the service would not only save time but also boast high-end features like LED information panels, bio-vacuum toilets, the indigenous safety system 'Kavach', and quick acceleration capabilities.
The train will halt at crucial stations like Hajipur, Muzaffarpur, Bapudham Motihari, Sagauli, Bettiah, Narkatiaganj, and Bagaha during its journey across various stops before finally reaching Gorakhpur. This Vande Bharat marks the 28th such service operating in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
According to Dilip Kumar, Executive Director (Information & Publicity) of the Railway Board, Vande Bharat trains now provide services to 24 states and Union Territories, covering 330 districts. He added that the first train was launched on February 15, 2019, and the Vande Bharat network has been swiftly expanding since then.
Despite being designed for speeds of up to 160 kmph, the existing rail infrastructure restricts these trains to a maximum speed of 130 kmph. Officials also discussed that while the Kavach system ensures optimum safety with automatic braking, complete functionality is still pending, as it requires supporting infrastructure installation at stations and along tracks.
With ongoing initiatives to implement Kavach more comprehensively, officials anticipate passengers can soon indulge in the perks of this cutting-edge safety feature.
Note: The tentative schedule for the Patliputra-Gorakhpur Vande Bharat Express commercial operations is as follows:
- The train will run six days a week, skipping Saturdays.
- From Patliputra to Gorakhpur, the train will depart at 3:30 pm and arrive at 10:30 pm, traveling roughly 384 km in approximately 7 hours.
- On the return leg, from Gorakhpur to Patliputra, it is expected to depart at 5:40 am and reach its destination by 12:45 pm on the same day.
- The train will make stops at Hajipur, Muzaffarpur, Motihari (Bapudham Motihari), Sagauli, Bettiah, Narkatiaganj, and Bagaha before culminating at Gorakhpur.
- The service was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 20, 2025, and commercial operations are scheduled to commence soon, with the first takeoff from Patliputra reportedly on June 22, 2025.
