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Varanasi

Varanasi–Aunrihar route par banega third railway track, ₹497 crore project se badhegi speed aur train capacity

By Pankaj Yadav••3 min read
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Varanasi : A major railway infrastructure upgrade has been approved for the route between Varanasi City and Aunrihar, as the central government clears construction of a third railway track worth ₹497.07 crore. The project, approved by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, will expand the existing double line into a triple-line corridor over a stretch of 31.36 kilometres.

Rail officials say the upgrade is aimed at reducing congestion on one of the region’s busiest rail sections, which currently handles heavy passenger and freight traffic. The new line will allow faster train movement, reduce detention time, and create space for additional services connecting eastern and northeastern India.

The Varanasi–Aunrihar stretch is a crucial rail link serving trains to cities such as Darbhanga, Raxaul, Kolkata, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune and New Delhi. Due to high operational pressure, railway authorities had long proposed tripling the route to improve efficiency. With approval now granted, officials expect better punctuality, increased freight handling capacity, and long-term revenue growth.

Railway estimates suggest the upgraded corridor could support an additional 1.99 million tonnes of freight annually. The project is also expected to accelerate economic development in eastern Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Varanasi and Ghazipur districts, while improving passenger convenience and regional connectivity.