By Mishri Lal Madhukar JANAKPURDHAM, September 3, 2026: Preparations have accelerated for a special train service connecting Janakpurdham and Jayanagar to Ayodhya in India. Following a crucial high-level meeting in Jayanagar, senior officials from Nepal and India have reached an agreement in principle to launch a special Ramayana Circuit Train between Janakpurdham and Ayodhya starting in April 2027.
The meeting, held on Wednesday at the Jayanagar railway station rest house, brought together railway, security, customs, immigration, and administrative officials from both nations. Extensive discussions were held on essential operational aspects ahead of the service launch, including rail track conditions, signaling, immigration procedures, customs check posts, passenger amenities, and comprehensive security management.
Key Highlights of the Proposed Service:
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Coach Configuration: The proposed train service will exclusively feature Air-Conditioned (AC) and Sleeper class coaches to ensure passenger comfort over the long journey.
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Security Protocol: It was mutually agreed that Nepali security forces will be responsible for passenger and railway safety on the Nepal side of the railway section, while Indian security forces will handle security on the Indian side.
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Border Management: Officials prioritized strategies to streamline immigration and movement management for pilgrims traveling from Ayodhya to Janakpurdham.
Following the discussions, senior officials from both countries conducted a joint on-site inspection of the Jayanagar-Janakpurdham-Kurtha railway section using a special inspection vehicle. The field visit allowed the team to evaluate the current state of border-area railway infrastructure, signaling systems, and existing immigration and customs facilities.
Once operational, this dedicated rail link is expected to significantly boost religious and cultural tourism between Ayodhya in India and Janakpurdham in Nepal, two cities with deep historical ties.
The high-level meeting was attended by key dignitaries, including Samastipur Railway Divisional DCM Amritesh Kumar, DMO Vijay Prakash, Customs Commissioner Arun Prasad, SSB DIG Madhukar Amitabh, Madhubani Rural SP Shivam Dhakad, First Secretary of the Indian Embassy Kumar Gaurav Singh, Dhanusha District Chief District Officer (CDO) Bhudev Jha, alongside officials from IRCON.
