Assembly backs proposal for Chhapra-Patna express trains

Patna: The proposal to run a pair of express trains between Chhapra and Patna may soon gain momentum after the state assembly on Wednesday adopted a private member’s Bill moved by BJP MLA Chhoti Kumari as its resolution.Chhoti Kumari, who defeated Bhojpuri actor Khesari Lal Yadav in the last assembly elections from Chhapra, urged the House to recommend that a pair of express trains be introduced between the two cities. The proposal received support from transport minister Shrawan Kumar, who said the govt had no objection and would forward the House’s recommendation to the Centre and the railways for follow-up action.The MLA argued that Chhapra, headquarters of the Saran division, would benefit significantly from rail connectivity.

She added that residents of neighbouring districts such as Gopalganj and Siwan would also gain from the proposed service.Two other private members’ Bills were also adopted as House resolutions.A proposal by BJP MLA Maithili Thakur, representing Alinagar, sought a new railway line linking Lohana and Muktapur and the operation of trains on the section to benefit nearby blocks. The transport minister expressed support for forwarding the recommendation to the Centre.

Similarly, the House adopted a demand raised by JD(U) MLA Ram Sewak Singh for long-distance trains to halt at Hathua railway junction in Gopalganj district. The govt assured that this recommendation would also be sent to the Centre and the railways for consideration.