Train services between India and Nepal resumed on Monday after nearly a decade, when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off a new broad-gauge train connecting Varanasi and Nepalgunj Road. The launch marked the completion of converting the 56-kilometre Bahraich-Nanpara-Nepalgunj rail section from meter-gauge to broad-gauge, enhancing connectivity between the two countries, according to livemint.com.
The inauguration took place in Bahraich, with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw present. Bahraich MP Dr Anand Gond also traveled on the train's initial leg to Risiya. The upgrade from meter-gauge to broad-gauge allows for better integration with India’s rail network and is expected to facilitate smoother passenger and freight movement across the border, livemint.com reported.
This rail link resumption is significant as it restores a vital transport corridor between India and Nepal after almost ten years. The broad-gauge conversion aligns with India’s broader rail modernization efforts and supports regional trade and tourism. The Varanasi-Nepalgunj route is expected to boost economic ties and improve accessibility for people in the border regions, according to livemint.com.
The resumption of the Varanasi-Nepalgunj train service follows the completion of the broad-gauge conversion of the 56-kilometre Bahraich-Nanpara-Nepalgunj section. This development was officially flagged off on September 1, 2026, by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, marking a key milestone in India-Nepal rail connectivity, as reported by livemint.com.