Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off five new Amrit Bharat Express trains on Sunday. This move marks a significant expansion of India's long-distance rail network. The initiative aims to improve travel experiences and connectivity for common citizens across the country.
New Routes and Services
The Guwahati (Kamakhya) - Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express became the fifth train inaugurated over the weekend. Three key routes originate from Kolkata. These include Howrah to Anand Vihar Terminal, Sealdah to Banaras, and Santragachi to Tambaram. In Assam, the Prime Minister also launched the Dibrugarh–Gomtinagar Amrit Bharat train and the Kamakhya–Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express.
This launch is part of a broader introduction of nine new Amrit Bharat Express services. The expansion significantly broadens the network's reach. It addresses rising passenger demand while promoting affordable and comfortable long-distance travel.
Earlier on Saturday, PM Modi flagged off four Amrit Bharat trains. These services cover routes like Alipurduar – SMVT Bengaluru, Alipurduar – Mumbai (Panvel), New Jalpaiguri- Nagercoil, and New Jalpaiguri- Tiruchirappalli.
Detailed Train Information
Kamakhya–Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express
This train links Kamakhya in Assam with Rohtak in Haryana. It strengthens connectivity between North-East and northern India. The service operates as train number 15671 from Kamakhya to Rohtak. The return journey uses train number 15672.
Timing: The weekly service departs Kamakhya at 10 pm on Fridays. It arrives in Rohtak at 2.45 pm on Sundays. On the return, it leaves Rohtak at 10.10 pm on Sundays, reaching Kamakhya at 12.15 pm on Tuesdays.
Stations: Key stations include Kamakhya, Katihar, Chhapra Gramin, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chipyana Buzurg, Delhi, and Rohtak.
Commercial Stoppages: The train stops at multiple stations like Rangiya, Barpeta Road, New Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, New Cooch Behar, New Jalpaiguri, Kishanganj, Barsoi, Katihar, Naugachia, Mansi, Khagaria, Begusarai, Barauni, Hajipur, Sonpur, Chhapra, Ballia, Ghazipur City, Aunrihar, Varanasi, Gyanpur Road, Prayagraj Rambag, Prayagraj Junction, Govindpuri, Tundla Junction, Ghaziabad, Delhi, and Bahadurgarh.
Frequency: It runs weekly, departing Kamakhya on Fridays and Rohtak on Sundays. The train comprises 22 coaches.
Dibrugarh–Gomtinagar Amrit Bharat Express
This service establishes a direct rail link between North-Eastern region and northern India. It operates as train number 15949 from Dibrugarh to Gomtinagar. The return service uses train number 15950.
Timing: The train departs Dibrugarh at 9 pm on Fridays. It reaches Gomtinagar (Lucknow) at 1:30 pm on Sundays. On the return, it leaves Gomtinagar at 1:40 pm on Tuesdays, arriving in Dibrugarh at 7:40 pm.
Stations: Major stations are Dibrugarh, Katihar Junction, Chhapra Gramin, Ayodhya Dham Junction, and Malhour.
Stoppages: Commercial stops include Moranhat, Simaluguri, Mariani, Furkating, Dimapur, Diphu, Lumding, Hojai, Chaparmukh, Jagi Road, Guwahati, Kamakhya, Rangiya, Nalbari, Barpeta Road, New Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, New Alipurduar, New Cooch Behar, New Jalpaiguri, Aluabari Road, Kishanganj, Barsoi, Katihar, Naugachia, Khagaria, Begusarai, Barauni, Hajipur, Sonpur, Chhapra, Siwan, Deoria Sadar, Gorakhpur, Khalilabad, Basti, Mankapur, Ayodhya, Ayodhya Cantt, and Barabanki.
Frequency: The service operates weekly. It departs Gomtinagar on Sundays and Dibrugarh on Fridays. The train has 22 coaches.
Santragachi–Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express
This train strengthens east–south rail connectivity. It links eastern India with southern metropolitan and suburban regions. The onward journey runs as train number 16107. The return service operates as train number 16108.
Timing: From Tambaram, the train departs at 3:30 pm on Fridays. It reaches Santragachi at 8:15 pm on Saturdays. On the return, it leaves Santragachi at 10 am on Mondays, arriving at Tambaram at 11 pm on Tuesdays.
Stations: Key stations include Tambaram, Chennai Egmore, Gudur, Vijayawada, Duvvada, Bhadrak, and Santragachi.
Commercial Stoppages: Stops include Chennai Egmore, Sullurpet, Nellore, Ongole, Chirala, Tenali, Vijayawada Junction, Eluru, Rajahmundry, Samalkot, Anakapalle, Duvvada, Pendurti, Kothavalasa, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam Road, Palasa, Brahmapur, Balugaon, Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Bhadrak, Balasore, and Kharagpur.
Frequency: The weekly service departs Tambaram on Fridays and Santragachi on Saturdays. It operates with 22 coaches.
Howrah–Anand Vihar Amrit Bharat Express
This service provides a direct rail link between eastern India and the National Capital Region. It operates as train number 13065. The return service uses train number 13066.
Timing: The train leaves Howrah at 11:10 pm on Thursdays. It arrives at Anand Vihar Terminal at 2:50 am on Saturdays. On the return, it departs Anand Vihar at 5:15 am on Saturdays, reaching Howrah at 10:50 am on Sundays.
Stations: Major stations are Howrah, Pradhankhunta, New West Cabin, and Anand Vihar.
Commercial Stoppages: Stops include Asansol, Durgapur, Barddhaman, Bandel, 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, and Ghaziabad.
Frequency: The service runs weekly. It departs Howrah on Thursdays and Anand Vihar on Saturdays. The train has 20 coaches.
Sealdah–Banaras Amrit Bharat Express
This train enhances connectivity between eastern India and a significant spiritual centre. The onward journey operates as train number 22588. The return service uses train number 22587.
Timing: From Banaras, the train departs at 10:10 pm. It arrives at Sealdah at 9:55 am the next day. On the return, it leaves Sealdah at 7:30 pm, reaching Banaras at 7:20 am the following morning.
Stations: Key stations include Banaras, Varanasi, New West Cabin, Jhajha, Jasidih, Asansol, and Sealdah.
Commercial Stoppages: Stops include Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Patna, Jasidih, Madhupur, Asansol, and Durgapur.
Frequency: The service operates three times a week.
Key Features of Amrit Bharat Express Trains
These trains offer numerous passenger-friendly amenities:
- Upgraded seating and berths with foldable snack tables for improved comfort
- LED lighting fixtures and fans with stainless-steel grills across coaches
- Enhanced ride quality through air-spring suspension bogies
- Onboard communication via a passenger information system
- Mobile holders and foldable bottle holders at seats
- Radium-lit floor guidance strips and toilet occupancy indicator lights
- Four toilets per coach: two Indian-style and two Western-style, all with electro-pneumatic pressurised flushing systems
- Aerosol-based fire suppression systems in toilets and electrical compartments
- Automatic soap dispensers for better hygiene
- Sealed vestibule gangways for safer inter-coach movement
- Individual charging points for every passenger
- Emergency support through exterior emergency lights
- Charging ports with both USB Type-A and Type-C options
The launch of these trains represents a major step forward for Indian Railways. It focuses on modernizing infrastructure and enhancing passenger convenience nationwide.
