By Aditi Sharma, Senior Transport Analyst at the Centre for Railway Information Systems. LinkedIn Profile
Key Details
- Inauguration: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually flag off the service from Siwan on June 20, 2025 timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
- Operator: North Eastern Railways (NER), under Indian Railways’ Make in India initiative en.wikipedia.org.
- Train No. & Frequency: 26502/26501, running six days a week (except Saturdays) en.wikipedia.org.
- Distance & Journey Time: Covers 384 km between Gorakhpur Junction (GKP) and Patliputra Junction (PPTA) in 7 hrs 05 mins, slashing travel time by nearly half en.wikipedia.org.
Route and Timings
- Outbound (26502): Departs Gorakhpur at 06:30 AM, arrives Patliputra at 01:30 PM.
- Return (26501): Departs Patliputra at 02:25 PM, arrives Gorakhpur at 09:25 PM.
- Halts: Kaptanganj, Narkatiyaganj, Bettiah, Bapudham Motihari, Muzaffarpur, Hajipur, Patna–City, then Patliputra timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Fare and Onboard Features
- AC Chair Car: ₹600 (GKP–PPTA)
- Executive Chair Car: ₹1,050 (GKP–PPTA)
- Amenities:
- Airline-style rotatable seats
- Onboard catering & infotainment
- Wi-Fi, charging ports, reading lights
- Large windows, Kavach safety system en.wikipedia.org.
Expert Insights
“This Mini Vande Bharat service is a game‑changer for regional connectivity,” says Dr. R. K. Gupta, Professor of Transportation Engineering at IIT Kanpur (IITK Profile).
“By cutting journey time by almost 50%, it not only boosts daily commutes but also spurs economic activity along the corridor.”
Daily Digest
- June 20 (Launch Day): Live updates on trial runs, flag‑off ceremony.
- June 21–30: Passenger feedback, maintenance checks.
- Weekly: Ridership data and punctuality report (posted every Monday).
Fact‑Check
- Stop at Bagaha?
Social‑media rumors claimed an unannounced halt at Bagaha. The Railway Board’s official press note confirms only the seven stations listed above indiarailinfo.com. - Fare Surge?
No surge pricing; fares are fixed as per IRCTC’s base tariff.
