Indian Railways has approved a new weekly train service connecting Janakpur Dham in Nepal with Ayodhya Cantt in Uttar Pradesh. This is a significant step towards strengthening cross-border rail connectivity between India and Nepal and promoting religious tourism.
The approximately 604-km-long rail service will connect Janakpur Dham in Nepal, revered as the birthplace of Mata Sita, with Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram. The train will have commercial stops at Jaynagar, Madhubani, Shisho, Sitamarhi, Raxaul, Narkatiaganj, Gorakhpur, Basti, Mankapur, and Ayodhya Dham, besides its terminal stations.
The weekly train will depart from Janakpur Dham every Saturday and from Ayodhya Cantt. every Monday.
The new rail link is expected to ease travel for pilgrims and tourists visiting the two prominent religious destinations while promoting the Ramayana tourism circuit. It is also likely to benefit local businesses, traders, hospitality establishments and communities along the route by boosting tourism and economic activity.
The objective of this initiative is to further strengthen India’s long-standing cultural, historical and economic ties with Nepal by improving connectivity for travelers and promoting cross-border tourism and social exchange. The service is also expected to improve cross-border passenger mobility and strengthen transport connectivity between India and Nepal.
(PIB)
