For nearly three decades, Bihar has been waiting for railway connectivity that never arrived. Data obtained through Right to Information reveals a staggering 53 railway projects have remained pending in the state since 1996, leaving communities stranded and development promises unfulfilled.
The Ghost Railway Stations of Bihar
In Khagaria district's Alauli village, a railway head exists but no trains come. Sushila Devi's land, which hosts this railway infrastructure, has become an unlikely shelter for cows and buffaloes instead of serving its intended purpose of connecting people. The Khagaria-Kusheshwar Asthan railway line, sanctioned back in 1996-97, remains only partially operational after 28 long years.
Only 19 kilometers of the proposed 42-kilometer route have become functional, that too only recently during the ongoing Assembly elections. The remaining 23 kilometers to Darbhanga district's Kusheshwar Asthan continue to test the patience of local residents who have watched generations grow up waiting for proper connectivity.
Political Legacy and Broken Promises
The stalled railway project carries significant political weight. It was conceived by former Union Railways Minister Ram Vilas Paswan near his birthplace Saharbanni, with the Sakri-Hasanpur line via Kusheshwar Asthan passing through his maternal home. Alauli holds special importance as the Scheduled Caste-reserved seat where Paswan's five-decade political career began with his debut election victory in 1969.
Despite this political connection, the project languished for decades. The 19-kilometer Khagaria-Alauli section only became operational months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it in April 2025, just before the ongoing Assembly elections.
What makes the situation more concerning is that three Union Railways Ministers from Bihar - Ram Vilas Paswan, Nitish Kumar, and Lalu Prasad - have held the portfolio during this period, yet failed to complete these crucial connectivity projects.
Economic Costs and Social Impact
The incomplete railway lines are costing Bihar dearly in economic terms. Sushila Devi highlights the practical challenges: "The actual benefit of the line will be when it is completed up to Kusheshwar Asthan, which is a good market for selling local produce." Currently, the two operational trains from Alauli station have inconvenient timings and are painfully slow.
Retired teacher Dharmendra Prasad Singh remembers the initial excitement when the railway link was announced. "We were hopeful that with Ram Vilas ji, the train would definitely come till here," he recalls, lamenting the lost potential for freight loading in this high-maize-producing belt. "What is the point of having a train if we can reach earlier by road?"
The flood-prone nature of the region, frequently disrupted by Kareh (Bagmati) River, makes railway connectivity even more crucial. Many residents see this poor infrastructure as a primary reason for migration from these areas.
Beyond Alauli: Statewide Railway Paralysis
The problem extends far beyond Khagaria district. Around 250 kilometers away in East Champaran district's Sugauli, another railway line meant to run to Hajipur near Patna via Vaishali has been awaiting completion for over two decades.
The 151-kilometer line was sanctioned in 2003-04 at a cost of Rs 2,702 crore when Nitish Kumar served as Union Railways Minister. In 22 years, the line has only reached Deoria in Muzaffarpur district, with the stretch to Sugauli still under construction.
Other key projects sanctioned during Lalu Prasad's tenure that remain incomplete include the Araria-Supaul, Nawad-Laxmipur, Ara-Bhabua Road, and Muzaffarpur-Darbhanga lines.
Administrative Hurdles and Political Reality
The RTI response from East Central Railways, which oversees the rail network covering almost 80% of Bihar, reveals multiple administrative roadblocks. Many projects have been kept under abeyance, frozen, required fresh line surveys, or declared "not required" by the ministry's Railway Board over the years.
Expenditure concerns and rate of return calculations were identified as primary issues blocking these projects. A retired Railways official highlighted the need to focus on expanding Bihar's internal railway network rather than prioritizing inter-state express trains or Metro projects.
The political implications are evident during election seasons. As 75-year-old Alauli resident Lalu Rajak notes, "The dream is coming true... so, will you get votes from us? You don't have to even ask." However, he too wishes the pace of work would accelerate.
In Kusheshwar Asthan's market, the unusual sight of petrol sold in plastic bottles reflects the region's isolation and economic backwardness. Sujeet Paswan, a mobile repair shop owner, explains that the closest major center is Darbhanga, about 70 kilometers away. Another railway line to connect Kusheshwar Asthan with Darbhanga, sanctioned in 2005-06 at a cost of Rs 337 crore under then Railways Minister Lalu Prasad, also remains incomplete.
As Bihar continues its development journey, these 53 pending railway projects serve as a stark reminder of the gap between political announcements and ground reality. With millions of residents waiting for basic connectivity, the question remains: how much longer must Bihar wait for its railway renaissance?
