CM Bhajanlal flags off Jaipur-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express
Synopsis
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on June 21 inaugurated the Khatiapura Mega Coaching Terminal in Jaipur and flagged off the Jaipur-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express, aimed at boosting Rajasthan-Bihar connectivity with modern rail infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
Jaipur-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express was flagged off on June 21, 2026 at Khatiapura Railway Station, Jaipur .
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and CM Bhajan Lal Sharma jointly inaugurated the new Mega Coaching Terminal at Khatiapura.
Bihar Chief Minister joined the inauguration ceremony via video conferencing .
Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari and other elected representatives were present at the venue.
The train is designed to strengthen cultural and commercial ties between Rajasthan and Bihar .
The launch is part of Indian Railways' broader Amrit Bharat Express programme, running since 2023 , to modernise inter-state passenger services with LHB coaches.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma joined Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at Khatiapura Railway Station, Jaipur, on Sunday, June 21, 2026, to inaugurate a new mega coaching terminal and flag off the Jaipur-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express, a modern inter-state train service connecting Rajasthan and Bihar.
Posting on X, CM Sharma wrote: 'आज खातीपुरा रेलवे स्टेशन, जयपुर में माननीय रेल मंत्री श्री @AshwiniVaishnaw जी के साथ मेगा कोचिंग टर्मिनल का शुभारंभ और जयपुर-दरभंगा अमृत भारत एक्सप्रेस को हरी झंडी दिखाकर रवाना किया।' — ('Today at Khatiapura Railway Station, Jaipur, along with the honourable Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, we inaugurated the mega coaching terminal and flagged off the Jaipur-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express.')
Context
The inauguration ceremony at Khatiapura Railway Station brought together senior political figures from multiple states. Bihar Chief Minister participated via video conferencing, while Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari and other elected representatives were present at the venue in person.
CM Sharma expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Rajasthan to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Vaishnaw for the twin gifts of the coaching terminal and the new train service.
Policy Backdrop
The Amrit Bharat Express is part of Indian Railways' initiative launched in 2023 to introduce new-generation trains with modern LHB coaches on key inter-state routes, replacing ageing rolling stock and improving passenger comfort, safety, and speed.
The Khatiapura Mega Coaching Terminal is an infrastructure addition designed to expand the operational capacity of Jaipur's rail network, enabling the city to handle a larger volume of train services. Multiple states have received Amrit Bharat services and station upgrades since the programme's launch, reflecting a sustained central government focus on rail modernisation.
Stakeholders and Impact
The Jaipur-Darbhanga route is expected to benefit rail passengers, traders, and migrant workers who travel between Rajasthan and Bihar — two states with deep cultural and commercial linkages. CM Sharma stated the new train will 'राजस्थान और बिहार के सांस्कृतिक व व्यापारिक संबंधों को और मजबूत करेगी' — ('strengthen the cultural and commercial ties between Rajasthan and Bihar').
Passengers on the route stand to gain from what the Chief Minister described as a 'modern, safe, and comfortable travel experience', a key differentiator of Amrit Bharat Express services over legacy trains on the same corridors.
What's Next
The launch of the Jaipur-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express and the Khatiapura Mega Coaching Terminal may set the stage for further capacity expansion at Jaipur's rail infrastructure. Observers will watch for announcements on additional Amrit Bharat services on other Rajasthan-origin routes as the central government continues its rail modernisation push ahead of the next Union Budget cycle.
Point of View
Bipartisan dividend — connecting states governed by coalition partners and reinforcing federal goodwill. The inclusion of Bihar's chief minister via video conference is politically significant given Bihar's electoral weight and the NDA's dependence on its alliance there. The Amrit Bharat Express programme, now spanning multiple states since 2023, has become a replicable template for the Centre to signal modernisation without the longer timelines of dedicated freight or bullet corridors. For Rajasthan, the Khatiapura terminal adds operational depth to Jaipur's rail network at a moment when the state government is keen to demonstrate infrastructure delivery in its first full term.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jaipur-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express?
The Jaipur-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express is a new modern inter-state train service connecting Jaipur in Rajasthan with Darbhanga in Bihar, launched on June 21, 2026. It is part of Indian Railways' Amrit Bharat Express programme that deploys new LHB coaches for improved passenger comfort and safety.
Where is the Khatiapura Mega Coaching Terminal located?
The Khatiapura Mega Coaching Terminal is located at Khatiapura Railway Station in Jaipur, Rajasthan. It was inaugurated on June 21, 2026, to expand the operational capacity of Jaipur's rail network.
Who inaugurated the Jaipur-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express?
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw jointly flagged off the Jaipur-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express at Khatiapura Railway Station on June 21, 2026.
What is the Amrit Bharat Express scheme?
The Amrit Bharat Express is an Indian Railways initiative launched in 2023 to introduce new-generation trains fitted with modern LHB coaches on key inter-state routes, replacing older rolling stock and offering passengers improved comfort, safety, and connectivity.
How does the Jaipur-Darbhanga train benefit passengers?
The Jaipur-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express offers a modern, safe, and comfortable travel experience for passengers between Rajasthan and Bihar, while also strengthening cultural and commercial ties between the two states.
