Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off three new Amrit Bharat Express trains on Sunday through a video conference. This move significantly strengthens long-distance and regional rail connectivity under the South Eastern Railway zone.
New Trains Connect Key Routes
The Prime Minister also inaugurated a fresh 15-kilometer railway line between Jayrambati and Maynapur in West Bengal. This marks another important milestone in expanding rail infrastructure across eastern India.
Three Vital Services Begin Operation
The three newly introduced Amrit Bharat Express services will run on crucial routes. They connect Santragachi with Tambaram, Howrah with Anand Vihar, and Sealdah with Banaras. These routes enhance SER's role as a critical rail hub linking eastern India with southern and northern regions.
Senior railway officials attended the inaugural program at Santragachi station. Present were Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh, Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar, South Eastern Railway General Manager Anil Kumar Mishra, and Kharagpur Divisional Railway Manager Lalit Mohan Pandey.
Detailed Service Information
The Tambaram–Santragachi Amrit Bharat Express will operate weekly. It connects West Bengal with Tamil Nadu via major stations across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. This train benefits passengers traveling between eastern and southern India. It offers a faster, modern, and affordable long-distance service.
Another key addition is the Howrah–Anand Vihar Amrit Bharat Express. This provides a vital link between Kolkata and the National Capital Region. Running once a week in each direction, the train serves important industrial, educational, and religious centers. It covers West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. This reinforces Howrah's importance within the SER network.
The third service is the Banaras–Sealdah Amrit Bharat Express. It will run three days a week in each direction. This significantly improves connectivity between eastern Uttar Pradesh and south Bengal. With stoppages at major junctions like Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Patna, Asansol, and Durgapur, the train expects strong demand. Pilgrims, students, and migrant workers will likely use this service extensively.
Boost to Regional Connectivity
In a boost to suburban and regional connectivity, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Jayrambati–Maynapur new railway line. Located in Bankura district, this line cost Rs.280 crore to construct. This section forms part of the larger Tarakeswar–Bishnupur new line project. That project spans 83 kilometers and aims to improve rail access in rural and semi-urban areas of West Bengal.
A MEMU service between Jayrambati and Maynapur has also started. This caters specifically to daily commuters in the region.
Focus on Passenger Experience and Growth
Officials stated the new services reflect Indian Railways' focus on upgrading passenger experience while expanding capacity. For South Eastern Railway, this launch marks a significant step. It strengthens long-haul, inter-zonal, and regional operations. This positions the zone as a key driver of rail-led connectivity and economic growth in eastern India.
