Jogbani, located on the India-Nepal border, is a crucial railway station for the Northeast Frontier Railway. Despite its significance, it lacks international standard infrastructure and facilities, hindering its potential as a gateway for travellers from Nepal. While the station was chosen for the Amrit Bharat Station scheme, it hasn't received the...
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international makeover needed to create a favorable impression on visitors. Despite the gauge conversion of the Jogbani-Katihar line over 15 years ago, train services remain limited. Only two express trains to Delhi and Kolkata, launched at the time of inauguration, continue to operate, with no increase in services. One pair of passenger trains on this route has been permanently discontinued. Local residents and organizations like the Bihar Daily Passengers Association and the Indo-Nepal Organisation of Rail Users have been advocating for improved infrastructure, increased train frequency, and new routes for years. Specific demands include a tri-weekly express train from Jogbani to Varanasi, additional routes connecting Jogbani with various destinations in India, and the restoration of the direct train service to Allahabad that existed before the gauge conversion. The Morang Chamber of Industries, Nepal, also emphasizes the need for an international tourist counter at Jogbani, an IRCTC PRS counter in Biratnagar, and the prompt operation of goods trains on the newly built railway line in Nepal to facilitate goods transportation and alleviate congestion in Jogbani. They advocate for the daily operation of the tri-weekly Jogbani-Kolkata train and urge the extension of the Vande Bharat Express from New Jalpaiguri to Kolkata via Katihar to benefit Nepal and the entire border region. The demand for extending the Chitpur Express to Puri and operating it from Jogbani to Biratnagar has been a long-standing request, previously promised by former Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee.