Gorakhpur: Gorakhpur’s Padrauna town is set to receive a major boost in rail connectivity as the 15135/36 Chapra–Amritsar Express will start halting at Padrauna from 12 December 2025, Union Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha.
Currently, Padrauna is connected to the national railway network via Gorakhpur Junction and Thawri Junction, served by four pairs of mail/express trains and four pairs of passenger trains linking major cities including Delhi, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Mathura, Jaipur, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, and Patna. The new stoppage responds to long-standing passenger demand and will further enhance connectivity in the region.
Major Railway Projects in the Region
To strengthen rail infrastructure, several significant projects have also been approved, including:
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Gorakhpur–Valmikinagar double line (96 km)
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Chhitouni–Tamkuhi Road new line (63 km)
Railway Modernisation and Gauge Conversion Achievements
Between 2020-21 and 2025-26, Indian Railways completed 21 metre-gauge to broad-gauge conversion projects covering 2,617 km, costing approximately ₹19,485 crore. Additionally, 18 new broad-gauge projects totaling 755 km were approved to connect regional centers and district headquarters to major cities, at a cost of ₹8,273 crore. These initiatives have significantly improved passenger convenience, freight capacity, and nationwide rail connectivity.
Record Budget Allocation and Infrastructure Growth in Uttar Pradesh
Railway infrastructure development in Uttar Pradesh has accelerated unprecedentedly. While average annual budget allocation was ₹1,109 crore during 2009-14, it surged to ₹19,858 crore in 2025-26, reflecting an 18-fold increase.
Railway construction speed has more than doubled—996 km of new lines were commissioned between 2009-14 (199 km per year), compared to 5,272 km during 2014-25 (averaging 479 km per year). As of 1 April 2025, 49 railway projects worth ₹62,360 crore have been approved in the state, with 1,323 km operational and ₹30,611 crore spent so far.
The inclusion of Padrauna in the Chapra–Amritsar Express route marks a new milestone in enhancing rail connectivity, providing passengers with faster, safer, and more convenient travel options across Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
