Train travel is expected to become more convenient for people in the days to come. Indian Railways is doing its level best to augment its network of low-cost long-distance trains for passengers. Presently, according to the latest press release, and a post shared on X by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting and Electronics and Information Technology, 9 new ‘Amrit Bharat Express’ trains will be flagged off soon. These trains will connect Assam and West Bengal to prominent places all over the northern, southern, and western parts of India.
The new trains will link cities such as Guwahati, Dibrugarh, New Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Kolkata to other locations including Rohtak, Lucknow, Nagercoil, Tiruchirappalli, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Tambaram, Banaras, and Anand Vihar. These trains will interlink all rail routes along the entire breadth of the nation. Launched as a part of the overall development activities of the Indian Railways in an attempt to upgrade non-AC long-distance transport services for common-man commuters, the Amrit Bharat Express was formed as a vision of the Amrit Kaal aimed at providing comfortable sleeper-class transport at economical rates without the burden of dynamic fares. Since the onset of the Amrit Bharat Express in the month of December 2023, at least 30 trains have rolled out so far. The addition of further nine trains in quick succession is now accelerating the large-scale development of these trains by the Indian Railways in a bid to harness the ever-increasing number of customers. Routes linking East and Northeast to major hubs The new trains will operate in Assam, Bihar, and West Bengal, which comprise a major portion of long distance and migrating railways in India. These routes are of prime importance to passengers intending to travel in connection with employment, education, business, and family purposes, particularly in the festive seasons. The nine proposed routes are:Guwahati (Kamakhya) – Rohtak Amrit Bharat ExpressDibrugarh – Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) Amrit Bharat ExpressNew Jalpaiguri – Nagercoil Amrit Bharat ExpressNew Jalpaiguri – Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat ExpressAlipurduar – SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat ExpressAlipurduar – Mumbai (Panvel) Amrit Bharat ExpressKolkata (Santragachi) – Tambaram Amrit Bharat ExpressKolkata (Howrah) – Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat ExpressKolkata (Sealdah) – Banaras Amrit Bharat ExpressTrains originating from New Jalpaiguri will connect north Bengal directly to southern Tamil Nadu and the southernmost tip of India. These new rail links are anticipated to become a crucial lifeline for students, employees, and merchants commuting between Eastern India and southern industrial and educational hubs. These rail tracks have been planned to cover north Bengal.
Boost for remote and strategic regions Services originating from Alipurduar will significantly improve rail access from the Dooars region of northeastern India to major metropolitan hubs in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Similarly, connections to Mumbai and Panvel will enhance east–west mobility, supporting business travel and access to major commercial and logistics centres. Routes stretching towards Bengaluru, as well as Chennai, are likely to help mobility in terms of workforce since they directly connect the eastern or northeastern states to hubs related to IT, manufacturing, or education. A majority of these trains will pass through Odisha or Andhra Pradesh. Modern amenities for everyday passengers Despite not being an AC service, some of the modern and passenger-friendly facilities available in the Amrit Bharat Express trains include upgraded seating and sleepers, foldable snack tables, phone and bottle holders, radium-striped floor strips, upgraded toilet systems with electro-pneumatic flushing, fire detection and fire suppression systems, fast charging points, pantry carriages, and facilities for divyangjan passengers. The focus, officials say, is on delivering comfort, safety and reliability without pushing fares beyond the reach of the common traveller. Nearly two centuries after India’s first train journey, Indian Railways continues to reshape how millions travel long distances. With the rapid expansion of Amrit Bharat Express services, the national transporter is bringing features once associated with premium trains to mass-category travel. By extending affordable, modern rail connectivity from Assam and West Bengal to the rest of India, the new Amrit Bharat Express services underline a shift towards inclusive and passenger-centric railway modernisation, ensuring that comfort and convenience are no longer limited to a select few.
