In a significant move to enhance connectivity for budget-conscious travelers, Indian Railways is introducing the Dibrugarh–Gomti Nagar (Lucknow) Amrit Bharat Express. This new weekly service, designed as a non-AC train, aims to provide an affordable yet quality travel option for passengers from lower and middle-income groups, bridging the Northeast with North India.
Route, Number, and Key Operational Details
The train will be identified as train number 15949 from Dibrugarh to Gomti Nagar and as train number 15950 for the return journey. Its extensive route will pass through five states: Assam, Nagaland, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. The primary routing will be via major junctions including Barauni, Hajipur, and Gorakhpur.
The service will run once a week. Train 15949 will depart from Dibrugarh every Friday at 21:00 hours, reaching Gomti Nagar (Lucknow) on Sunday at 13:30 hours. In the opposite direction, train 15950 will leave Gomti Nagar every Sunday at 18:40 hours and arrive at Dibrugarh on Tuesday at 12:40 hours.
Comprehensive Stoppages and Coach Composition
This long-distance train will make commercial halts at a total of 40 stations along its path, ensuring connectivity to numerous towns and cities. The key stoppages include:
- Assam & Nagaland: Mornhat, Simaluguri, Mariani, Furkating, Dimapur, Diphu, Lumding, Guwahati, Kamakhya, Rangiya, Nalbari, Barpeta Road, New Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, New Alipurduar, New Cooch Behar.
- West Bengal & Bihar: New Jalpaiguri, Aluabari Road, Kishanganj, Barsoi, Katihar, Naugachia, Khagaria, Begusarai, Barauni.
- Uttar Pradesh: Hajipur, Sonpur, Chhapra, Siwan, Deoria Sadar, Gorakhpur, Khalilabad, Basti, Mankapur, Ayodhya, Ayodhya Cantt, Barabanki.
The train will have a 22-coach rake, offering substantial passenger capacity. For maintenance, it will be primarily serviced at the Dibrugarh depot with RBPC (Repair in Both Directions with Primary Maintenance at one end).
Infrastructure and Service Focus
The Amrit Bharat Express scheme is a focused initiative by the Ministry of Railways to cater to the unmet demand for comfortable and economical long-distance travel. By offering non-AC services with multiple stoppages, it ensures connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities often bypassed by premium trains like Vande Bharat.
The train's operations are supported by designated 6 CTS (Clean Train Station) facilities at Lumding, Guwahati, New Jalpaiguri, Katihar, Barauni Junction, and Gorakhpur. Additionally, 8 watering stations have been earmarked, including Mariani Junction, Lumding, and Guwahati, to ensure proper upkeep during the long journey.
With this launch, Indian Railways strengthens the vital transportation link between the resource-rich Northeast region and the populous northern plains, fostering economic and cultural exchange while prioritizing affordability.
