It is classified as 'B special class' according to Indian Railways standards, and its trains can reach up to 123 kilometres per hour (76 mph) on this line.

It connects Assam, West Bengal, North Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh to Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand.

Major stations on this line include Barabanki, Gonda and Basti.

The branch line from Burhwal Junction to Shahjahanpur was opened on 13 March 1911.

[6] 90km (56 mi) of new line will be constructed between Basti (Uttar Pradesh) to Kapilvastu (NEPAL).