(Set to Transform Connectivity, Boost Market Access, and Accelerate Socio-Economic Growth Across Uttar Pradesh’s Terai Region)
TTT NEWS NETWORK
NEW DELHI | 27 NOVEMBER 2025
Fulfilling long-standing public demand, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Shri Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Commerce & Industry, flagged off the extension of the Gorakhpur–Pilibhit Express up to Izzatnagar (Bareilly) through video conferencing from Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, today. The train earlier operated between Lakhimpur and Gorakhpur, and a few months ago its service was extended up to Pilibhit. It has now been further extended to Bareilly. The initiative marks a major step by Indian Railways in strengthening connectivity across Uttar Pradesh’s Terai region and linking it more effectively with the mainstream of development.
The extension of the service to Izzatnagar (Bareilly) fulfills a long-standing demand of local residents and is expected to generate far-reaching benefits for the region. It will enable better market access for agricultural and forest produce, meet the mobility needs of the population, and accelerate the social and economic development of the Terai belt. The enhanced connectivity is also set to promote tourism and create new employment opportunities, thereby supporting overall regional growth.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the unprecedented scale of railway development in Uttar Pradesh since 2014. He stated that 5,272 kilometres of new tracks have been constructed in the state—more than the entire rail network of Switzerland—and the state has achieved 100% electrification of its railway routes. He further informed that 1,660 flyovers and road underbridges have been built across Uttar Pradesh during this period.
For enhanced passenger convenience, the Union Minister noted that Indian Railways has installed 154 lifts and 156 escalators at various stations, and Wi-Fi facilities are now available at 771 stations across Uttar Pradesh. The Union Minister highlighted that the state currently operates 34 Vande Bharat Express services and 26 Amrit Bharat Express services, significantly improving high-quality travel options for passengers. The Union Minister said, over the past 11 years, 48 long-pending projects have been completed, including the Lucknow–Pilibhit gauge conversion, Pilibhit–Shahjahanpur gauge conversion, and Bareilly–Tanakpur gauge conversion, all of which had been awaiting progress for many years.
Shri Vaishnaw also underscored the dramatic increase in railway investment in the state. The budget allocation to Uttar Pradesh, which stood at ₹1,109 crore before 2014, has now risen 18-fold to ₹19,858 crore. Additionally, 157 stations across Uttar Pradesh are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. This includes 48 stations in West and North Uttar Pradesh alone—such as Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Shamli, Bulandshahr, Garhmukteshwar, Ghaziabad, Meerut City, Modinagar, Ramghat, Bijnor, Dhampur, Moradabad, Najibabad, Pilibhit, and Bareilly, among others. Among these 157 stations in Uttar Pradesh, 10 stations have already been inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while work on the remaining stations is progressing rapidly. This extensive redevelopment drive is ushering in a new era of modern and passenger-friendly railway infrastructure across the state.
Union Minister of State Shri Jitin Prasada expressed gratitude to Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw for prioritising the Pilibhit, noting that students, farmers, and tourists will be the biggest beneficiaries of the extension of these railway services. The programme witnessed the esteemed presence of public representatives, including Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar, Member of Parliament (Bareilly), Dr. Sudhir Gupta, Member of Legislative Council, and Shri Baburam, Member of Legislative Assembly (Puranpur) who thanked Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw on behalf of the people.
By expanding the Gorakhpur–Pilibhit Express to Izzatnagar (Bareilly), Indian Railways continues its commitment to enhancing passenger convenience, expanding transport options, and ensuring that the Terai belt receives improved, reliable, and sustainable rail services.
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