Coimbatore Junction Hosts Grand Welcome for Maiden Amrit Bharat Express Service
The historic Thiruvananthapuram North-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express made its inaugural journey through Coimbatore Junction on Friday evening, receiving an enthusiastic reception from railway officials and marking a significant enhancement to South India's rail network.
Official Welcome and Railway Significance
Senior railway authorities, including Divisional Railway Manager Panna Lal, Senior Divisional Engineer (Coordination) S Karthikeyan, and Senior Divisional Commercial Manager M Vasudevan, formally welcomed the train at Coimbatore Junction. This special service had been flagged off earlier in the day by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Thiruvananthapuram North, as part of a broader initiative to modernize India's railway infrastructure.
A senior railway official highlighted that while Coimbatore already benefits from three Vande Bharat Express trains operating through or from the city, this launch represents the first Amrit Bharat Express service via Coimbatore. This development addresses a growing demand for improved connectivity, particularly between Kerala and Hyderabad.
Enhanced Connectivity Between Kerala and Hyderabad
The introduction of this Amrit Bharat Express service is poised to significantly boost travel options between Kerala and Hyderabad. Currently, passengers rely primarily on the daily Sabari Superfast Express from Ernakulam via Coimbatore and a weekly express train to Secunderabad. The new Amrit Bharat Express will serve as the second dedicated service linking these two key regions, offering enhanced frequency and comfort for commuters and travelers alike.
The inaugural special train featured eight reserved coaches and twelve general compartments, designed to accommodate a diverse range of passengers. Regular services for this route are scheduled to commence from January 27, 2024, providing a reliable new option for interstate travel.
Detailed Schedule and Operational Timings
The Charlapalli-Thiruvananthapuram North Amrit Bharat Express (Train No. 17041) will depart from Charlapalli at 7:15 AM every Tuesday starting January 27. It is expected to reach Thiruvananthapuram North at 2:45 PM the following day. During its journey, the train will arrive at Coimbatore Junction at 4:47 AM, with a brief halt of three minutes.
Conversely, the Thiruvananthapuram North-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express (Train No. 17042) will leave Thiruvananthapuram North at 5:30 PM every Wednesday beginning January 28. Its arrival at Charlapalli is scheduled for 11:30 AM the next day. This service will also stop at Coimbatore Junction at 2:27 AM, maintaining a three-minute halt to facilitate passenger boarding and alighting.
Broader Launch of Amrit Bharat Express Trains
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flag-off ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram included two additional Amrit Bharat Express trains, underscoring the government's commitment to expanding and modernizing rail connectivity across South India. The other inaugurated services are:
- Thiruvananthapuram Central-Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express
- Nagercoil Junction-Mangaluru Junction Amrit Bharat Express
These launches collectively represent a strategic effort to enhance inter-state rail travel, reduce journey times, and provide passengers with more efficient and comfortable transportation options. The focus on routes like Kerala-Hyderabad via Coimbatore highlights the railways' responsiveness to regional travel demands and economic integration.
