Indian Railways is all set to introduce nine new Amrit Bharat Express trains that will significantly expand affordable long-distance rail connectivity from the eastern and northeastern regions to major parts of the country. The announcement was made by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who shared the details of the new routes and highlighted their role in strengthening national integration and passenger convenience.
Amrit Bharat Express, launched in December 2023, is a category of non-AC long-distance trains designed with a focus on comfort, safety and affordability. These trains are aimed at providing a modern travel experience for the common passenger and are positioned as an upgraded option in the non-AC segment. According to Indian Railways, Amrit Bharat services are being introduced to improve the quality of long-distance travel for migrant workers, students, families and regular travellers, while keeping fares affordable.
The nine new services will operate from key hubs in Assam and West Bengal, passing through populous states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and extending connectivity to northern, western and southern India, including destinations in Haryana, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra. These additions reflect Indian Railways’ continuing effort to strengthen inter-state connectivity and expand long-distance passenger services.
List of 9 New Amrit Bharat Express Trains and Their Routes
1. Guwahati (Kamakhya) – Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express: This service will connect Guwahati (Kamakhya) in Assam with Rohtak in Haryana, strengthening direct rail links between the Northeast and North India.
2. Dibrugarh – Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) Amrit Bharat Express: Linking Dibrugarh in Assam with Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) in Uttar Pradesh, this train will provide a direct connection between far-eastern India and the central Gangetic region.
3. New Jalpaiguri – Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express: This long-distance service will run between New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal and Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu, enhancing East–South rail connectivity across multiple states.
4. New Jalpaiguri – Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express: Connecting New Jalpaiguri with Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, this route will offer another major corridor between eastern India and the southern region.
5. Alipurduar – SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express: This train will operate from Alipurduar in northern West Bengal to SMVT Bengaluru in Karnataka, linking eastern India with one of the country’s major technology and economic hubs.
6. Alipurduar – Mumbai (Panvel) Amrit Bharat Express: This service will connect Alipurduar with Panvel in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, improving east-west connectivity and access to India’s financial capital region.
7. Santragachi (Kolkata) – Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express: Running between Santragachi near Kolkata and Tambaram near Chennai, this train will strengthen rail links between eastern India and the southern metropolitan region.
8. Howrah – Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express: This service will link Howrah in West Bengal with Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi, offering an additional long-distance option between two major urban centres.
9. Sealdah – Banaras Amrit Bharat Express: Connecting Sealdah (Kolkata) with Banaras (Varanasi) in Uttar Pradesh, this train will benefit passengers travelling for pilgrimage, education and inter-state movement.
What Makes These Trains Important
According to the Ministry of Railways, the new Amrit Bharat Express trains are aimed at improving long-distance connectivity at affordable cost, especially on routes with heavy passenger demand. By linking eastern and northeastern regions with major cities and economic centres across the country, these services are expected to ease congestion and provide additional travel options for long-distance passengers.
The expansion is also expected to be particularly useful during festive seasons and peak travel periods, when demand for trains rises sharply. Amrit Bharat Express services are positioned as a step towards upgrading the non-AC long-distance segment, with a focus on better travel experience while maintaining accessibility.
The Railway Ministry has stated that these trains will be flagged off soon, though exact dates and schedules are yet to be officially announced. Once operational, the nine new Amrit Bharat Express services will further strengthen India’s rail network and enhance connectivity between Assam, West Bengal and major regions across North, South and West India.
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