GORAKHPUR, Nov. 27 -- The railway ministry on Thursday announced the extension of the Gorakhpur-Pilibhit Express to Izzatnagar in Bareilly, marking a key push to strengthen rail links across eastern and northern Uttar Pradesh. Officials said the move will improve regional connectivity, expand trade routes, draw more tourists, and meet a long-pending demand of the Terai region.

Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union minister of state (MoS) for electronics and information technology Jitin Prasada jointly flagged off the extended service through video conferencing from Rail Bhawan, New Delhi. According to officials, the route expansion will offer better market access for agricultural and forest produce, support daily commuters, a...