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Indian Railways has approved a new weekly train linking Janakpur Dham in Nepal with Ayodhya Cantt. in Uttar Pradesh, covering about 604 kilometres, announced by PIB on 14 November 2026.
Why in news
- On 14 November 2026, PIB (Ministry of Railways) said Indian Railways has approved a weekly train between Janakpur Dham, Nepal and Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
- The release calls it a step to strengthen cross-border connectivity, religious tourism and India-Nepal friendship.
- The service will run once a week, starting Saturday from Janakpur Dham and Monday from Ayodhya Cantt.
Fact table
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| What | New weekly train service, approved |
| Who approved | Indian Railways (Ministry of Railways) |
| Route | Janakpur Dham (Nepal) to Ayodhya Cantt. (UP) |
| Distance | About 604 kilometres |
| Frequency | Once a week |
| Departure days | Saturday from Janakpur, Monday from Ayodhya |
| Stops in Bihar | Jaynagar, Madhubani, Shisho, Sitamarhi, Raxaul, Narkatiaganj |
| Stops in UP | Gorakhpur, Basti, Mankapur, Ayodhya Dham |
Janakpur Dham Bihar stops Gorakhpur Basti and Mankapur Ayodhya Cantt.
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- Janakpur Dham is described in the release as the birthplace of Mata Sita; Ayodhya as the birthplace of Prabhu Shri Ram. Both are tied to the Ramayana tradition.
- The service uses rail links to add to India-Nepal ties, which the release describes as centuries-old cultural, historical and social bonds.
- Cross-border passenger links are a tool of neighbourhood diplomacy under the foreign policy theme of connectivity.
Uttar Pradesh angle
Ayodhya is the Uttar Pradesh terminus of the service, and Gorakhpur, Basti, Mankapur and Ayodhya Dham are the UP stops named in the release. The release expects benefits for pilgrims, tourism operators, hospitality establishments, local traders and traditional artisans along the route. For GS-V, link this to religious tourism and rail connectivity in eastern Uttar Pradesh. UPPSC aspirants should treat this as a current affairs topic for the Uttar Pradesh papers.
Likely confusions
- The train is weekly, not daily: one departure from each end every week.
- Janakpur Dham is in Nepal; Ayodhya Cantt. is the Indian terminal, not Ayodhya Dham, which is an intermediate commercial stop.
- This is an approval of a service by Indian Railways, not a new bilateral treaty.
Key Terms
- Cross-border connectivity
- Transport links between neighbouring countries that ease movement of people and goods.
- Commercial stoppage
- A stop where passengers can board or alight, as opposed to a technical halt.
- Ayodhya Cantt.
- The Indian terminal station of the new service.
- Janakpur Dham
- Nepali town revered as the birthplace of Mata Sita.
- Neighbourhood diplomacy
- Policy of building ties with nearby countries through connectivity and culture.
UPPSC syllabus: GS-II, GS-V
FAQs
Which days does the train start?
It starts on Saturday from Janakpur Dham and on Monday from Ayodhya Cantt.
Last verified: 2026-11-15
