The Union Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhu and his ministry may think of Purnia - Kishanganj railway route via Dalkolha, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal. In fact, only by laying of 40 kms railway track (line) between Purnia and Dalkolha, the railway may connect the districts of Purnia and Kishanganj, and further with north-eastern states including Guwahati. This new route will have multiple benefits including shortening of the distance between Patna and Kishanganj by 50 to 60 kms, and it will reduce the burden on Barauni – Katihar section. The Ministry must consider this proposal not only on behalf of people of Purnea division but the entire north-eastern region.
With the restoration of railway connectivity between Purnia Junction / Purnea Court railway station with the capital city Patna via Saharsa by broad gauge (BG) track on June 22, 2016, the people of the Purnea division got an alternate. Also, the Eastern Central Railways (ECR) division of Indian Railways also introduced / restored a number on this route, which has become quite popular among the people of the region. In the meantime, Kosi Express (18697 / 19698) earlier running between Patna to Dauram Madhupura (Madhepura) has been further extended upto Purnia Court.
Presently, Purnea junction is connected to north-eastern region including Guwahati through Katihar, approximately 28 kms. away. Further the distance from Katihar to Kishanganj is 100 kms. approximately. However, based on the need of the people of Purnea division comprises of Kishanganj, the Indian Railways may take some pathbreaking decision which would be beneficial for commuters as well as the railways. The railways may connect Purnea Railway Station with Kishanganj directly via Dalkolha, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, and the total distance between two stations would be approximately 65 kms, which is half of present distance via Katihar i.e 28 kms + 100 kms. If the Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhu and his ministry takes the decision to connect Purnea and Kishanganj with direct rail route, this would be a good alternate for Patna – Kishanganj – Guwahati route via Saharsa instead of Katihar. The distance between Patna and Kishanganj would shorten the distance by 50 to 60 kms, and it will reduce the burden on Barauni – Katihar section.
This could be possible by laying of only 40 kms railway track (line) from Purnia to Dalkolha, which would further connect Dalkolha with Kishanganj and Guwahati. In fact, some sections have already demanded for sanctioning of railway line from Purnia to Dalkolha, and a memorandum in this regard also been submitted to the Railway ministry. If the Purnia – Dalkolha – Kishanganj railway route becomes a reality, it would be a big gift for the people of the region who always claim about the gross neglect of the region since long time. The railway minister Shri Suresh Prabhu and Chief Minister of Bihar Shri Nitish Kumar must give attention towards the alternate as it would be beneficial in many ways. Also, the Indian Railways would be strengthen by introducing this new railway route in terms of revenue as people would prefer to travel by train between Purnia and Kishanganj instead of buses or personal vehicles.
