On 19 Nov 2014, I took train Avadh Assam exp from Old Delhi to New Jalpaiguri via Bareilly, Lucknow, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Siwan, Chhapra, Hajipur, Mujaffarpur, Barauni, Mansi, Katihar. The same train I had boarded 05 years back for official visit to New Jalpaiguri. That time the entire track from barabanki to Katihar was 100% single and 100% unelectrified. I was very glad to see this time that the stretch from Barabanki to Hajipur including Sonpur - Hajipur Gandak bridge was 100% doubled and 95% electrified and till today, I hope that the rest 5% electrification work would have also completed. The stretch between Hajipur to Muzaffarpur was single for 45 Kms but 100% electrified too. The stretch from Muzaffarpur to Mansi was again 100% doubled and 100% electrified. My train was only 45 minutes late till Mansi. The winter season had just approached and as my seat was side lower...
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in right side of my S7 Coach and diwali and chat puja had passed on 23 and 29 Oct. So there was no rush in my compartment, I was alone sitting or lying at my berth. As usual, I had Several maps of my journey route which I make before proceeding on my journey. The map contained all halts, small, medium and big stations name with Km distance between them. I didn't sleep for the entire distance between Lucknow to Katihar and just amazingly marking in my map the huge progress of Indian railways in 100% doubling and electrifying such a huge distance of more than 800 Kms in 04 years. I was thinking now the lifeline of the nation is finally changing its reputation. The train having only 45 minutes late after 20 hours of journey in UP and Bihar was making me feel awesome. But my feeling was shattered when the train left Mansi, a large no. of local passengers without or general class ticket boarded and sat forcefully on our seats. The Chain pulling was done 02 to 03 places. In spite of this I was concentrated on my work of marking on my map about the progress. Surprising I found , the stretch from Maheshkhunt to Thanabihpur was only 20% doubled as when I was watching through my window in right side, there was no other line there. The train was halted for 20 minutes at a Gauchhari small station for crossing another train from opp direction. Also the progress of electrification work was only 50% between Mansi and Thana bihpur. After Thana bihpur to Katihar again the tracks were 100% doubled except 01 km stretch on river kosi between katrea and kursela and 100% electrified too. But my happy journey had not remained happy as my train had delayed by 03 hours upto Katihar. My name is again being forwarded for recruiting youths at New Jalpaiguri in November this year. As Preferred route reservation to New Jalpaiguri is given by our office via this train only, but I prefer Brahmaputra Mail via Bhagalpur as my mama resides there, can anybody tell me whether situation has changed with any progress in the Mansi Katihar route.