New Delhi, May 8 (Representative) Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Saturday flagged off a passenger train between Jhanjharpur (Madhubani district) and Nirmali (Supaul) through a video-conferencing here. The Rail traffic on Saharsa-Darbhanga rail section via Supaul-Nirmali has been restored after 88 years. The section was disrupted due to an earthquake in the year 1934. “The restoration of rail services on this section fulfils long-pending demand of those people who are living on both sides of river Kosi,” said the Union Minister after inaugurating the section. The minister also reiterated Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s commitment towards the development of eastern states and said: “The allocation of funds for Bihar which was 1132 crore during 2009-14 was enhanced to 6600 crores. He assured all possible assistance to Bihar in the development of railways.
He also inaugurated train services on the broad gauge from Jhanjharpur railway station in Madhubani district to Nirmali railway station in Supaul district and a new rail line from Nirmali to Asanpur Kupaha at the cost of 1584 crore through video-conferencing. The minister also appealed the local MLAs and MPs to take personal interest in railway projects in their respective areas. “It is my request to all of you, especially to the MPs, MLAs and Honorable Ministers that you should take personal interest in every project of the Railways. You will take one step for the work that has to be done on behalf of Railways, we are ready to take ten steps with you,” he said. Bihar Ministers Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Sheela Mandal, MPs from Madhepura, Jhanjharpur and Supaul, local MLA Nitish Mishra besides top railway authorities of Samastipur rail division of East Central Railway Zone of Indian Railways were present at the event.