Indian Railways has approved a new weekly train service connecting Janakpur Dham in Nepal with Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, the government announced on Saturday, in a move aimed at strengthening cross-border connectivity, religious tourism and cultural ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Source: IANS via HiIndia

According to the official press release issued by the Ministry of Railways on Saturday, the service will establish a rail link between two destinations deeply associated with the Ramayana tradition — Janakpur Dham, revered as the birthplace of Mata Sita, and Ayodhya, the birthplace of Prabhu Shri Ram.

Source: Ministry of Railways via Indian Economic Observer

Covering approximately 604 kilometres, the weekly train will connect Janakpur Dham with Ayodhya Cantt, passing through several important towns and cities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

The train will have commercial stoppages at Jaynagar, Madhubani, Shisho, Sitamarhi, Raxaul, Narkatiaganj, Gorakhpur, Basti, Mankapur and Ayodhya Dham, besides its terminal stations, the reports said.

The service will operate once a week, originating from Janakpur Dham on Saturdays and from Ayodhya Cantt on Mondays.

Approval follows weeks of preparations and a trial run

Saturday's approval follows the preparations reported earlier this month. Nepal Railways Managing Director Paribesh Parajuli, at Janakpur, had told ANI that for now Indian Railways will operate the train and will also decide the facilities and ticket fares, with Nepal taking over operations later when it has the resources to run it on its own.

Earlier this month, a 17-coach Indian train, number WDP-4D 40370, made a trial run from Jaynagar to Kurtha, and officials from both sides inspected the Jaynagar-Janakpurdham-Kurtha section together.

The service is expected to ease cross-border travel for pilgrims, tourists and traders and to support tourism circuits linked to the Ramayana, strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Nepal.