Indian Railways is set to significantly enhance connectivity on one of the nation's busiest corridors with the introduction of the new Amrit Bharat Express, linking Howrah in West Bengal with Delhi's Anand Vihar Terminal. This modern service, designed to offer a travel experience on par with the Vande Bharat Express, specifically targets affordability for passengers from lower and lower-middle-income groups.
Amrit Bharat Express: Key Operational Details
The new service will be identified as train number 13065 for the journey from Howrah to Delhi. On its return leg, it will operate as train number 13066 from Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT) back to Howrah. The train will traverse a major route via key junctions including Bandel, Barddhaman, Asansol, Gaya, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, and Lucknow.
In terms of frequency, the Amrit Bharat Express will run as a weekly service. Train 13065 will depart from Howrah every Thursday, while the return service, train 13066, will originate from Anand Vihar Terminal every Saturday. The train will be composed of a substantial 20-coach rake.
Complete Schedule and Stoppages
According to the official timetable, train number 13065 will leave Howrah at 23:10 hours on Thursday. It is scheduled to arrive at its destination, Anand Vihar Terminal, at 02:50 hours on Saturday. The journey spans over two days, connecting the eastern and northern capitals of India.
For the return journey, train number 13066 will depart from Anand Vihar Terminal at 05:15 hours on Saturday, eventually pulling into Howrah at 10:50 hours on Sunday.
Passengers should note that this express will make commercial halts at a total of 25 stations along its route. The complete list of stoppages is as follows:
- Bandel
- Barddhaman
- Durgapur
- Asansol
- Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya
- Bhabua Road
- Sasaram
- Dehri On Son
- Anugraha Narayan Road
- Gaya
- Koderma
- Parasnath
- NSCB Gomoh
- Dhanbad
- Varanasi
- Jaunpur City
- Sultanpur
- Maharaja Bijli Pasi (Nihalgarh)
- Lucknow
- Shahjahanpur
- Bareilly
- Moradabad
- Gajraula
- Hapur
- Ghaziabad
A Strategic Boost for Affordable Connectivity
The launch of the Amrit Bharat Express marks a strategic move by Indian Railways to bridge the gap between high-speed, premium travel and budget-friendly services. By offering amenities comparable to the Vande Bharat trains but at a more accessible price point, the service aims to democratize quality rail travel. This initiative is expected to benefit a vast segment of passengers who prioritize both comfort and cost on this heavily traversed route between two major metropolitan regions.
The introduction of this weekly link is poised to strengthen the transportation network, providing a reliable and enhanced travel option for thousands. Maintenance for the train will be carried out at Howrah with the RBPC (Repair and Breakdown Patrol Car), and key technical halts for crew change and watering are planned at Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Lucknow, and Moradabad.
