KATHMANDU: Amid preparations for Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s upcoming visit to India, the Indian government has decided to introduce a weekly train service connecting Janakpurdham in Nepal with Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, Indian media reports said.
India’s Ministry of Railways approved the proposal on Saturday to operate the passenger train between the two religious and cultural destinations. Prime Minister Shah is scheduled to leave for an official visit to India on November 22.
The decision to establish the railway link comes ahead of his visit and is expected to further strengthen the longstanding cultural and religious ties between the two countries, according to The Hindu.
In a statement issued on Saturday, November 14, the Ministry of Railways said the initiative aims to connect two important destinations associated with the Ramayana tradition—Janakpurdham, regarded as the birthplace of Goddess Sita, and Ayodhya, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram.
The train will cover approximately 604 kilometres, connecting Janakpurdham with Ayodhya Cantt. and passing through several towns and cities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Besides the terminal stations, the train will stop at Jaynagar, Madhubani, Shisho, Sitamarhi, Raxaul, Narkatiaganj, Gorakhpur, Basti, Mankapur, and Ayodhya Dham.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the service will operate once a week, departing from Janakpurdham every Saturday and from Ayodhya Cantt. every Monday.
Highlighting the importance of railway connectivity in strengthening bilateral relations, the ministry stated that India and Nepal share centuries-old cultural, historical, and social ties, with religious traditions and cross-border community relationships forming an integral part of their partnership.
The ministry added that the new train service would provide another dimension to bilateral cooperation by bringing communities in the two countries closer through improved railway connectivity.
India and Nepal had also held discussions in June this year on expanding cross-border railway connections, including passenger train services along the Janakpurdham-Ayodhya route and broader cooperation in the railway sector.
Publish Date : 15 November 2026 09:52 AM
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