Gaya Business Body Urges Railway Authorities for Enhanced Connectivity and Infrastructure
The Central Bihar Chamber of Commerce has submitted a comprehensive petition to the East Central Railway (ECR), pressing for significant improvements in rail connectivity and road infrastructure around Gaya. The business organization is advocating for the introduction of direct train services from Gaya to major metropolitan centers like Mumbai and Bengaluru, while simultaneously calling for the acceleration of multiple road overbridge (ROB) projects to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance commuter safety.
Demand for Direct Rail Links to Mumbai and Bengaluru
In their formal appeal to the ECR general manager, the chamber's patron and Zonal Railway Users' Consultative Committee member, Kaushalendra Pratap, highlighted the pressing need for better rail connectivity. He emphasized that the decades-old Howrah–Mumbai Mail remains the sole rail connection between the internationally significant town of Gaya and India's financial capital, Mumbai. This single service is proving insufficient to meet the growing passenger demand.
"A substantial number of travelers, including cancer patients with their attendants, along with business professionals, job seekers, and tourists, depend on this route," explained Kaushalendra. "The existing service can no longer adequately cater to the escalating demand, which justifies our request for a direct train originating from Gaya itself."
Regarding Bengaluru, the chamber noted that since the city's emergence as a premier IT hub, there has been a consistent flow of IT professionals, their families, and job aspirants from the Magadh region traveling to the southern metropolis. Although a special train has been recently introduced, the business body is pushing for its regularization into a permanent service. Additionally, they have proposed extending the existing Gaya–Egmore Express route all the way to Bangalore to provide more reliable and frequent connectivity.
Urgent Need for Road Overbridge Construction
The chamber expressed deep concern over the delayed implementation of several sanctioned road overbridge projects, which are crucial for easing traffic bottlenecks and improving safety at railway crossings. Despite approval, work on the ROB at the Bageshwari level crossing has not yet commenced. Similarly, construction activities near Rasalpur village on the Gaya–Kiul section have been progressing at an exceptionally slow pace for years, causing ongoing inconvenience and hazards.
Furthermore, the business organization has identified additional locations requiring new ROBs to streamline traffic flow. These include sites near the FCI point on the Gaya–Mughalsarai section and at the Chakand level crossing on the Gaya–Patna route. The chamber also stressed the necessity of constructing ROBs at Gumti No. 1 on the southern side of Gaya railway station and at the Bandhua level crossing to prevent accidents and reduce congestion.
Additional Railway Service and Facility Demands
Beyond new trains and bridges, the chamber's wish list encompasses several other critical enhancements to railway services and infrastructure:
- Increasing the frequency of key train services including the Howrah–Amritsar Mail, Gaya–Kamakhya Express, Deeksha Bhumi Express, Gaya–Egmore Express, and the Gaya–Delhi Garib Rath to accommodate more passengers.
- Renovating and expanding the Gaya Railway Hospital to modernize its facilities and, importantly, opening it to the general public. Currently, this healthcare facility is restricted exclusively to railway employees and their immediate family members, limiting access for other residents.
These multifaceted demands were formally raised and discussed during a recent meeting of the ECR's Zonal Railway Users' Consultative Committee, underscoring the chamber's proactive approach to addressing regional development needs. The business body's advocacy reflects a broader push for improved transportation infrastructure that supports economic growth, healthcare access, and safer travel for all commuters in and around Gaya.
