Vande Bharat Express service currently operating between Bhagalpur and Howrah is set to be extended to Jamalpur. The move is expected to improve access to semi high-speed rail for residents of Jamalpur, Munger and surrounding districts, while also addressing a long-standing demand for enhanced passenger connectivity in the region.
According to senior railway officials, a revised timetable for the Bhagalpur–Howrah Vande Bharat Express has been submitted for approval and, once cleared, will allow the train to originate from Jamalpur instead of Bhagalpur. The reworked schedule will offer onward travel through Bhagalpur and several intermediate stations before reaching Howrah, a key terminal on the Eastern Railway network. As per the proposed timings, the train will depart from Howrah at 7:45 am and reach Bhagalpur at 1:15 pm. After a short two-minute halt, it will proceed to Jamalpur, arriving at 1:50 pm. On the return leg, the Vande Bharat is scheduled to depart Jamalpur at 3:30 pm, reach Bhagalpur at 4:22 pm, and continue its journey back to Howrah with scheduled halts at Barahat, Mandarhill, Hansdiha, Nonihat, Dumka, Rampurhat, and Bolpur. The arrival time at Howrah is expected to be 10:05 pm.
The route extension is more than a timetable tweak; it represents a deliberate push towards modernising railway infrastructure in second-tier cities and providing equitable access to faster, safer, and more efficient train services. Officials close to the development have confirmed that the operational and logistical groundwork is nearly complete, with only final approvals pending. The inclusion of Jamalpur on the Vande Bharat map is the result of persistent demand from local residents, civil society representatives, and regional administrators. The city, known for its historic railway workshop and growing population, has lacked modern high-speed passenger services, despite its strategic location. Once implemented, this extension will mark a new era of enhanced mobility for commuters in the region.
Transport planners and experts point out that the decision also aligns with the broader goals of Indian Railways to decentralise high-speed rail access and promote balanced development across regions. By improving intercity travel times and offering a more comfortable travel experience, Vande Bharat extensions like these can shift short-haul travel away from road transport, contributing to lower carbon emissions and easing pressure on highways. The semi high-speed Vande Bharat Express, known for its advanced features such as faster acceleration, better safety controls, GPS-enabled onboard systems, and energy efficiency, has become a symbol of modern Indian rail transport. Extending these services to under-served cities like Jamalpur is part of a strategy to integrate Tier-2 and Tier-3 urban centres into the national economic grid more effectively.
The revised route may also necessitate minor schedule adjustments for a few trains operating along the same corridor. Railway officials have indicated that traffic simulation and station capacity studies have already been conducted to ensure that the new service will operate smoothly without causing bottlenecks or overlap in timetables. Jamalpur’s growing industrial and educational base makes it a logical choice for such a rail service upgrade. With improved connectivity, the region is expected to see a boost in tourism, commuter movement, and local economic activity, particularly in sectors dependent on fast freight and passenger logistics.
Moreover, rail infrastructure upgrades often serve as enablers of broader socio-economic equity. By reducing travel times between hinterland cities and economic hubs like Howrah, the new service can help bridge developmental gaps and increase access to urban opportunities, healthcare, and education for residents in districts such as Munger, Jamalpur, and Banka. While the final date for implementation depends on administrative clearances, officials anticipate that the new route will be operational within the coming months. Once launched, Jamalpur will join the growing list of Indian towns connected by Vande Bharat Express services—bringing faster, greener, and more inclusive rail mobility to the heart of Bihar.
In a nation grappling with both infrastructure deficit and the urgent need for decarbonisation, the Vande Bharat expansion offers a model of mobility that is not just faster but also more sustainable. Each addition to the Vande Bharat network helps reduce the dependency on polluting road-based transport and contributes to India’s commitment toward building a net-zero carbon economy. As Indian Railways continues its shift toward electrified, efficient, and eco-conscious transport systems, the inclusion of cities like Jamalpur into this evolving network reflects the future of Indian mobility—one where speed, sustainability, and regional equity move together on parallel tracks.
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