Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the redeveloped Ayodhya Railway Station, marking a significant step in enhancing rail infrastructure. The Ayodhya Dham Railway Station, now transformed as Ayodhya Dham Junction Railway Station, is set to handle an increased capacity from 10 thousand to 60 thousand people after its comprehensive revamp, costing more than Rs 240 crore. The three-storey modern railway station boasts features such as lifts, escalators, food plazas, shops catering to puja needs, cloakrooms, child care rooms, and waiting halls, making it an accessible and IGBC-certified green station building.
At the event, the Prime Minister flagged off the new category of superfast passenger trains, the Amrit Bharat Express, designed to provide improved facilities for rail passengers. The Amrit Bharat train, an LHB push-pull train with non-air-conditioned coaches, features beautiful seat designs, enhanced luggage racks, mobile charging points, LED lights, CCTV, and a public information system. Two new Amrit Bharat trains, Darbhanga-Ayodhya-Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express and Malda Town-Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminus (Bengaluru) Amrit Bharat Express, were inaugurated.
Interacting with school children on the inaugural journey of the Amrit trains, the Prime Minister emphasized the significance of providing modern facilities for economically challenged travelers. Additionally, six new Vande Bharat Trains were flagged off, connecting various spiritual and cultural centers across the country.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister dedicated three railway projects worth Rs 2300 crore to strengthen rail infrastructure in the region. These projects include the Rooma Chakeri-Chanderi third line project, Jaunpur-Tulsi Nagar, Akbarpur-Ayodhya, Sohawal-Patranga, and Safdarganj-Rasauli sections of the Jaunpur-Ayodhya-Barabanki doubling project, and the doubling and electrification project of the Malhaur-Daliganj railway section. The collective efforts aim to enhance regional connectivity, foster tourism, and create employment opportunities.