Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi section

The Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi section is a railway line connecting Muzaffarpur to Sitamarhi in the Indian state of Bihar. The 65.8 km (40.9 mi) line passes through the plains of North Bihar.

Muzaffarpur–Hajipur section
Overview
Type	Passenger and freight train line
Status	Operational
Locale	Bihar
Termini	Muzaffarpur Sitamarhi
Stations	10
Services	Muzaffarpur–Gorakhpur line (via Hajipur, Raxaul and Sitamarhi) Barauni–Gorakhpur, Raxaul and Jainagar lines
Operation
Opened	2013
Owner	Indian Railway
Operator(s)	Indian Railway, East Central Railway
Depot(s)	Narayanpur Anant station in Muzaffarpur
Rolling stock	Diesel locos: WDM-2, WDM-3A
Technical
Line length	65.8 km (40.9 mi)
Track length	69 km (42.9 mi)
Number of tracks	1 (Diesel BG)
Track gauge	Broad bauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification	No
Operating speed	up to 90 km/h (56 mph)
Highest elevation	73 m (240 ft)
Route map (km) 0.00 Muzaffarpur Junction 8.70 Jubbasahani 24.70 Paramjeevar Tarajeevar 30.18 Benipurgram Halt 38.18 New Runnisaidpur Halt 41.55 Runnisaidpur 47.22 Garha 59.18 Dumra 61.02 Bhisa Halt 65.00 Sitamarhi Junction

History

The foundation for this project was laid by the then railway minister, Ram Vilas Paswan, in 1997. When Nitish Kumar succeeded he sanctioned funds for it in 2001.

Project and construction

It took 16 years to complete the 63 km long Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi broad gauge railway line. The project cost Rs 550 crore though the initial estimate was Rs 250 crore. The railway was completed from Runni Saidpur to Sitamarhi in April 2011. The remaining section between Muzaffarpur and Runni Saidpur took another two years due to civil objections.

The first train Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi Passenger left Muzaffarpur Junction on 27 March 2013[1][2]

Stations

There are 8 stations between Muzaffarpur Junction and Sitamarhi Junction.

Station code	Station name	Distance (km)
MFP	Muzaffarpur Junction	0
JUBS	Jubbasahani	8.7
PATR	Paramjeevar Tarajeevar	24.7
BPGR	Benipurgram Halt	30.18
NRSD	New Runnisaidpur Halt	38.18
RUSD	Runnisaidpur	41.55
GARA	Garha	47.22
DUMR	Dumra	59.18
BHSA	Bhisa Halt	61.02
SMI	Sitamarhi Junction	65

Stations in the Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi section

• 
  Garha Railway Station
• 
  Dumra Railway Station
• 
  Bhisa Halt Railway Station

Trains

Until December 2014, 2 pairs of passenger trains and 3 pairs of Mail/Express trains were running in the Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi section.

From 13 July 2014, Sitamarhi–Delhi Anand Vihar Terminal Lichchavi Express was diverted to run via Muzaffarpur in the Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi section which earlier ran via Darbhanga→Samastipur→Muzaffarpur. Now the 14006/14005 Lichchavi Express directly runs between Sitamarhi→Muzaffarpur.

DEMU Trains

• 75207/75208 Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi–Samastipur Passenger
• 75255/75256 Muzaffarpur–Darbhanga Passenger
• 75215/75216 Raxaul-Patliputra Fast Passenger

Mail/Express Trains

• 14008/14007 Sadbhavana Express (Raxaul–Delhi via Muzaffarpur & Sitamarhi)
• 14018/14017 Sadbhavana Express (Raxaul–Delhi via Muzaffarpur & Sitamarhi)
• 14006/14005 Lichchavi Express (Sitamarhi–Delhi Anand Vihar Terminal via Muzaffarpur)
• 13123/13124 Sitamarhi- Sealdah Express

Speed limit

The Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi section of Muzaffarpur–Gorakhpur line (via Hajipur, Raxaul and Sitamarhi) is not an A-Class line of Indian Railways. So maximum speed is restricted to 100 km/h, as there is single BG non-electrified line between Muzaffarpur Junction and Sitamarhi Junction which was completed in 2013.

Sidings and workshops

• Kanti Thermal Power Station, Muzaffarpur[3]
• Bharat Wagon Engineering Limited, Muzaffarpur

See also

• Barauni–Gorakhpur, Raxaul and Jainagar lines
• Samastipur–Muzaffarpur section
• Barauni–Samastipur section
• Hajipur Junction railway station
• East Central Railway zone

References

1. Singh, Shyam Kishore (27 March 2013). "First train from Sitamarhi to Muzaffarpur chugs off". Times of India.
2. "After 16 long years low-key inauguration of Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi rail link". Bihar Times. 28 March 2013.
3. "Sonpur Division Operating Performance". East Central Railway. 20 September 2013. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016.