New Delhi. The government on Saturday announced the launch of a new weekly train service between Nepal's Janakpur Dham and Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya. This service will establish an important rail link between two places deeply associated with the Ramayana tradition (Janakpur Dham, considered the birthplace of Mata Sita, and Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram). Covering a distance of approximately 604 kilometres, this weekly service will connect Janakpur Dham with Ayodhya Cantt and pass through many important towns and cities of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Apart from its terminal stations, this train will also stop at Jaynagar, Madhubani, Shisho, Sitamarhi, Raxaul, Narkatiaganj, Gorakhpur, Basti, Mankapur and Ayodhya Dham. This service will run once a week, from Janakpur Dham on Saturday and from Ayodhya Cantt on Monday.
According to Indian Railways, this initiative will provide better access to these major religious and cultural centers for passengers from both the countries, and will also strengthen their shared civilizational heritage. Through this initiative, Indian Railways is expanding passenger connectivity. At the same time, it is also promoting regional tourism, economic activities and deep friendship between the two neighboring countries.
According to an official statement, “This new service will make cross-border travel even more convenient for pilgrims, tourists and other travellers. It will ease religious journeys between Janakpur and Ayodhya, boost the Ramayana-related tourism circuit, and provide more convenience to people traveling for education, business or family functions.”
This new train service will give a new dimension to mutual cooperation between the two countries by bringing communities closer to each other through railway connectivity. Improved rail connectivity will also benefit the local economies along this route. This will create new opportunities for tour operators, hospitality businesses, local traders and traditional artisans. For people living in the border areas of Bihar and Nepal, this service will provide an additional travel option and further strengthen the economic and social ties between them.