Gorakhpur–Pilibhit Express Extended to Izzatnagar (Bareilly)
Extension Flagged Off by Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jitin Prasada
Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Shri Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Commerce & Industry, launched the extension of the Gorakhpur–Pilibhit Express up to Izzatnagar (Bareilly) through video conferencing from Rail Bhawan, New Delhi. The service, which originally operated between Lakhimpur and Gorakhpur and was extended to Pilibhit a few months earlier, has now been further extended to Bareilly. The initiative aims to strengthen connectivity across Uttar Pradesh’s Terai region and connect it more effectively with developmental networks.
The extension to Izzatnagar (Bareilly) addresses a long-standing public demand and is expected to provide multiple benefits to the region. It is anticipated to support improved market access for agricultural and forest produce, meet local mobility requirements, and promote the social and economic development of the Terai area. The increased connectivity is also likely to assist tourism and create employment opportunities.
Railway Development in Uttar Pradesh
Speaking during the programme, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the scale of railway development in Uttar Pradesh since 2014. He stated that 5,272 kilometres of new tracks have been constructed in the state, exceeding the total rail network of Switzerland, and added that Uttar Pradesh has achieved 100 percent electrification of all railway routes. He further noted that 1,660 flyovers and road underbridges have been built across the state during this period.
For passenger convenience, the Union Minister mentioned that Indian Railways has installed 154 lifts and 156 escalators at various stations and that Wi-Fi facilities have been made available at 771 stations in Uttar Pradesh. He also stated that the state currently operates 34 Vande Bharat Express services and 26 Amrit Bharat Express services. Over the past 11 years, he said, 48 long-pending projects have been completed, including the Lucknow–Pilibhit gauge conversion, Pilibhit–Shahjahanpur gauge conversion, and Bareilly–Tanakpur gauge conversion.
Shri Vaishnaw also referred to the increase in railway investment in the state. He informed that the budget allocation to Uttar Pradesh, which was ₹1,109 crore before 2014, has risen to ₹19,858 crore. He added that 157 stations across Uttar Pradesh are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. This includes 48 stations in West and North Uttar Pradesh, such as Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Shamli, Bulandshahr, Garhmukteshwar, Ghaziabad, Meerut City, Modinagar, Ramghat, Bijnor, Dhampur, Moradabad, Najibabad, Pilibhit, and Bareilly. He noted that 10 stations have already been inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that work on the remaining stations is progressing.
Remarks from Public Representatives
Union Minister of State Shri Jitin Prasada expressed gratitude to Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw for prioritising the Pilibhit region. He stated that students, farmers, and tourists will benefit from the extension of the railway service. Public representatives present at the event included Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar, Member of Parliament (Bareilly), Dr. Sudhir Gupta, Member of Legislative Council, and Shri Baburam, Member of Legislative Assembly (Puranpur), who conveyed their appreciation to the Union Minister on behalf of the local population.
The extension of the Gorakhpur–Pilibhit Express to Izzatnagar (Bareilly) reflects Indian Railways’ efforts to enhance passenger convenience, broaden transport options, and support improved and reliable rail services for the Terai region.