DARBHANGA, Oct. 7 -- Empty platforms, non-functional ticket counters, and an absence of passengers characterise the newly-built Darbhanga Bypass Halt, located near the Darbhanga airport and the city's Dilli Mor bus terminus. The bypass infrastructure, part of the Rs.389 crore Shisho-Kakarghati rail section, spans a 9.48-km stretch that includes the Darbhanga Bypass Halt. This section serves as an alternative route, allowing trains to bypass Darbhanga Junction and eliminating the need for engine reversal there. Although, the platform serves this alignment, the halt remains operational without any scheduled passenger train stoppages. Officials note that the distinction is important because the bypass station is located where two railway routes cross. The line carrying trains between Sitamarhi and Darbhanga passes through the area, but there is no passenger platform at the bypass station on that route. The platform that has been constructed at Darbhanga Bypass Halt serves the Shisho-Kakarghati bypass alignment. Yet, despite the platform being available, the railway has so far not provided a scheduled passenger train stoppage there. Consequently, trains have been using the bypass alignment, but passengers cannot currently board or alight from a scheduled train at Darbhanga Bypass Halt. The station was inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 13, 2024, the day the foundation stone for the proposed Darbhanga AIIMS was laid. An RTI application filed by this reporter on August 10, 2026, sought details, including information on passenger train stoppages at the station. In its response, the railway directed the applicant to the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) for information on train stoppages. The RTI response also said the new line had been developed "to avoid engine reversal at DBG" and clarified that the bypass facility was "not linked to Darbhanga station". The Shisho-Kakarghati section runs from Shisho through the Darbhanga Bypass area to Kakarghati, connecting the Darbhanga-Sitamarhi, Darbhanga-Jaynagar and Jhanjharpur sections and providing an alternative operational route for eligible trains. According to railway officials, trains are using the bypass alignment between Shisho and Kakarghati. However, the Darbhanga Bypass Halt has not been given a scheduled passenger train stoppage so far. When contacted, senior divisional railway manager (DRM) of Samastipur Railway Division, Ananya Smriti, told Hindustan Times that no train currently has a stoppage at Darbhanga Bypass Halt. "We will assess its feasibility in the near future. As passenger traffic increases, the matter will be examined," she said. Several mail and express trains currently run on the bypass line, passing through Shisho station and travelling towards Kakarghati, or in the opposite direction. All these trains stop at Shisho, recently accorded the status of junction. However, there is no platform at Darbhanga bypass on the rail track connecting Sitamarhi with Darbhanga Junction. Therefore, trains on this track continue to run up to Darbhanga station. There are also plans to further expand Shisho station, a distance of 7 km from Darbhanga junction, in this segment in the future, with the aim of reducing the pressure of train operations on Darbhanga Junction. "A mega coaching complex with stabling lines and washing pits is proposed at Shisho station. The mega coaching complex scheme is inclusive of all the required facilities need for expansion of railway in this part of region", the DCM added. The railway rack point is also proposed to be shifted from Bela in Darbhanga town to Muhammadpur station, 11 kms away, to ease traffic congestion in the city, according to an informed sources. Darbhanga MP Gopal Jee Thakur said that the bypass station was part of a larger project under the government of India, planned keeping in view the future expansion of railway facilities in Darbhanga. "At present, Shisho and Kakarghati stations have been accorded junction status. Our effort will be to ensure that the general public can derive maximum benefit from it," he said. The Darbhanga MP, who is member of Standing Committee on Railway said that he has taken up cudgels to facilitate development on this score. He recently flagged off stoppage of Namo Bharat Express at Laheriasarai station besides flagging off the train to mark the commencement of the stoppage of train no. 13211/13212 Jogbani-Danapur Express at Laheriasarai station on Monday. The location of Darbhanga Bypass Halt gives it considerable potential, being close to Darbhanga airport, Dilli Mor and the under-construction AIIMS Darbhanga campus. "This station can be used as a suburban station because it is close to the upcoming AIIMS and the main city. But so far, we have not seen any passenger traffic here," said local resident Rahul Jha. The station also appears to have had a troubled beginning. Its name was initially displayed as "Darbhanga Byepass" instead of "Darbhanga Bypass". The error was brought to the notice of railway officials by locals and was subsequently rectified....