| Varanasi–Chhapra line with Aunrihar–Mau–Phephna branch line | |
| Status: | Operational |
| Locale: | Gangetic Plain in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar |
| Open: | 15 March 1909 (Main) 15 March 1899 (Branch) |
| Owner: | Indian Railways |
| Operator: | North Eastern Railway |
| Linelength: | Main line 2060NaN0 Aunrihar–Mau–Phephna branch line 1180NaN0 |
| Electrification: | Yes |
| Gauge: | Broad Gauge |
| Old Gauge: | Metre gauge |
| Speed: | 100 km/h |
| Map State: | collapsed |
The Varanasi–Chhapra line or Chhapra–Varanasi line is a railway route on the North Eastern Railway section of Indian Railways. This route plays an important role in rail transportation of Varanasi division and Azamgarh division of Uttar Pradesh state and Saran division of Bihar state.
The corridor passes through the Gangetic Plain of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with a stretch of 206 km with consists of a branch line that starts from with passing through and Ends at with a stretch of 118 km.
The main railway line from to was originally built by Bengal and North Western Railway company as metre-gauge line during the 19th and 20th century also. This line was opened in different phases during the construction period.
Whereas the branch line between Aunrihar Junction to Phephna Junction was opened in two phases during the construction period. The First phase between Aunrihar Junction to Mau Junction was opened on 15 March 1899 and the second phase between Indara Junction to Phephna Junction was also opened on 15 March 1899.[1]
After that, this line was transferred from the initial jurisdiction to Oudh Tirhut Railway, after the amalgamation of: Bengal and North Western Railway, the Tirhut Railway, Mashrak-Thawe Extension Railway, Rohilkund and Kumaon Railway Company on 1 January 1943.
Later, on 14 April 1952, this line was transferred to the jurisdiction of North Eastern Railway, after the amalgamation of Oudh Tirhut Railway and Assam Railway Company.[2]
After that, the conversion into broad gauge was completed through different phases starting from the first phase between Varanasi City to Indara Junction at 1990, and the second phase between Aunrihar Junction to Chhapra Junction at 1996 and another phase between Indara Junction to Phephna Junction at 1999.[3]
The electrification trial and inspection on Varanasi–Chhapra line was completed in December 2018.[4]