**Executive Summary**
This report highlights the launch and expansion of the Amrit Bharat Express train services, initiated in December 2023, aiming to provide affordable and comfortable long-distance rail travel across India. The focus is on non-AC sleeper class travel with fixed pricing and enhanced connectivity to promote tourism, employment, and accessibility to essential services. Nine new Amrit Bharat Express trains were introduced, enhancing connectivity to various regions.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Amrit Bharat Express Overview:**
* 30 trains operational since December 2023, with 9 new services added.
* Aims to provide reliable, affordable, and comfortable travel for everyday travelers.
* Non-AC sleeper class travel with fares around ₹500 per 1,000 km and no dynamic pricing.
* Designed to handle heavy passenger volumes, especially during festive seasons.
* **Route and Connectivity:**
* Connects the Northeast, eastern, central, western, and southern India, including border areas, major cities, and pilgrimage centers.
* Links eastern and sub-Himalayan regions with major destinations across India.
* Nine new Amrit Bharat Express routes introduced for expanded network.
* **Train Features and Amenities:**
* Fully non-AC trains configured with General Class, Sleeper Class, pantry, and disabled-friendly compartments.
* Features include semi-automatic couplers, improved crashworthy features, CCTV, improved toilets, LED lighting, USB charging sockets, and aerosol fire suppression systems.
* Also includes emergency talk-back system and enhanced heating capacity in the pantry.
* **New Train Routes:**
* **Kamakhya-Rohtak:** Weekly service connecting Assam and Haryana, departs Kamakhya Fridays at 10:00 PM and arrives Rohtak Sundays at 2:45 PM.
* **Dibrugarh-Lucknow:** Connects Assam and Uttar Pradesh, boosting tourism and local trade.
* **New Jalpaiguri-Nagercoil:** Connects the eastern Himalayan foothills with the southern tip of India.
* **New Jalpaiguri-Tiruchirappalli:** Connects the Northeast gateway to Tamil Nadu's education and temple hubs.
* **Alipurduar-Bengaluru:** Direct rail link between West Bengal and Karnataka, weekly service.
* **Alipurduar-Mumbai:** Connects North Bengal with Mumbai, weekly service.
* **Santragachi-Tambaram:** Connects Kolkata with Chennai, improving access to education and healthcare.
* **Howrah-Anand Vihar:** Fast rail link between eastern India and Delhi, weekly service.
* **Sealdah-Banaras:** Daily service connecting Kolkata and Banaras.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder**: Passengers/Travelers
**Impact**: Access to affordable and comfortable long-distance travel options with improved amenities, connecting various regions for employment, education, tourism, and family needs.
**Action Required**: Utilize the new train services for travel and provide feedback to improve services further.
**Stakeholder**: Regional Economies
**Impact**: Boost in tourism, local trade, and employment opportunities through enhanced connectivity between major cities, pilgrimage centers, and industrial hubs.
**Action Required**: Leverage the improved connectivity for economic development and integration.
**Stakeholder**: Indian Railways
**Impact**: Expansion of its network with a focus on affordability and passenger-centric design, meeting the rising passenger demand across key regions.
**Action Required**: Continue to expand and improve the Amrit Bharat Express services based on passenger feedback and demand.
Key Entities Referenced
Amrit Bharat Express: A new, non-AC long-distance sleeper class train service by Indian Railways designed to handle heavy passenger volumes with affordable fares and enhanced amenities.
Indian Railways: The operator of the Amrit Bharat Express and the organization responsible for introducing the service to provide affordable and comfortable travel.
Kamakhya Temple: A major spiritual hub that is connected by one of the Amrit Bharat Express routes (Kamakhya-Rohtak).
Varanasi: The Ganga ghats of Varanasi are near destination for one of the Amrit Bharat Express routes.
PIB Headquarters
Amrit Bharat Express: Transforming Affordable
Long-Distance Rail Travel
प्रव तथ: 17 JAN 2026 5:30PM by PIB Delhi
Key Takeaways
30 Amrit Bharat Express trains have been operational since December 2023, with 9 new services
added, expanding nationwide coverage.
Non-AC sleeper travel priced at ~₹500 per 1,000 km, with no dynamic pricing, ensures accessibility
for the common passenger.
New routes link the Northeast, eastern, central, western, and southern India, connecting border
areas, major cities, and pilgrimage centres.
Enhanced rail access supports employment mobility, tourism, trade, and access to education and
healthcare across multiple regions.
Empowering Everyday Journeys
Railways have long been the backbone of India’s social and economic fabric. They have carried
generations of passengers across vast distances and diverse landscapes. As the lifeline of affordable mass
transport, Indian Railways has played a pivotal role in connecting people, markets, and opportunities. This
is especially true for those for whom train travel is not a choice but a daily necessity. Nearly two centuries
after India’s first train journey, Indian Railways continues to transform mobility for millions. By extending
comfort, convenience, and reliability, once associated primarily with premium services, Indian Railways
have steadily built a more inclusive transport system. The focus remains on safety and a passenger-centric
approach.
Aligned with this vision, the Amrit Bharat Express has emerged as a significant milestone for everyday
travellers. It was introduced as a flagship initiative of the Amrit Kaal. Since its launch in December 2023,
30 Amrit Bharat Express trains have already become operational, and 9 additional services are going to
be introduced. These routes will strengthen connectivity by linking the eastern and sub-Himalayan regions
with major destinations across southern, western, and central India. This reinforces the nation’s
commitment to affordable, comfortable, and reliable travel for all.Amrit Bharat Express: The Idea and the Intent
The Amrit Bharat Express is a modern, non-AC long-distance sleeper class train service introduced by
Indian Railways to provide reliable, affordable, and comfortable travel. It is designed to handle heavy
passenger volumes, especially during festive seasons and peak migration periods. With fares of
approximately ₹500 per 1,000 kilometres and proportionately lower pricing for short and medium-
distance journeys, the service follows a simple and transparent fare structure with no dynamic pricing. To
bridge regions often separated by distance and opportunity, the Amrit Bharat Express supports travel for
employment, education, and family needs. It is a part of India’s continued push to expand affordable long-
distance connectivity across the country.
Amrit Bharat trains are fully non-AC, configured with 11 General Class coaches, 8 Sleeper Class
coaches, 1 Pantry Car, and 2 Second Class–cum–Luggage–cum–Guard Vans with disabled-friendly
compartments. Designed and manufactured to meet the needs of the general public, these trains aim to
deliver a modern, comfortable, and high-quality travel experience for passengers in the non-AC
segment.
Broadening Reach: Nine New Amrit Bharat Express TrainsThe introduction of nine new Amrit Bharat Express trains marks a significant expansion of the
network. These new services are aimed at strengthening long-distance connectivity and meeting rising
passenger demand across key regions of the country.
Ashtalakshmi of Bharat’s North-East: Powered by Kamakhya-Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express
Connecting Kamakhya, a major spiritual hub in Assam, with Rohtak in Haryana, this Amrit Bharat
Express strengthens long-distance connectivity between the North-East and northern India.
Operates as a weekly service across Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and
Haryana, offering affordable and comfortable travel.
Train Timings:
Departs Kamakhya at 10:00 PM on Fridays, arrives Rohtak at 2:45 PM on Sundays.
Return journey departs Rohtak at 10:10 PM on Sundays, arrives Kamakhya at 12:15 PM on
Tuesdays.
Serves multiple districts across six states and passes near destinations such as Kamakhya Temple
and the Ganga ghats of Varanasi, enhancing accessibility, tourism and regional ties.
Dibrugarh-Lucknow Amrit Bharat Express: Strengthening Purvodaya se Bharat Uday Vision
The Dibrugarh–Lucknow Amrit Bharat Express establishes a vital rail link between the North-Eastern
region and northern India.
Originates from Dibrugarh in Assam and passes through Dimapur in Nagaland, connecting
frontier and border regions with Uttar Pradesh.
Passes close to major destinations including Kaziranga National Park (UNESCO World
Heritage Site), Kamakhya Temple, Vikramshila Mahavihara, Ayodhya and Lucknow.
Expected to boost tourism, local trade, small businesses and employment mobility by linking
pilgrimage centres and major cities.New Jalpaiguri-Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express: From Dooars to Nilgiris
Linking the eastern Himalayan foothills with the southern tip of the country, this service strengthens
national integration and long-distance connectivity.
Connects New Jalpaiguri, a key border-area hub near Bhutan and Bangladesh, with Nagercoil in
Kanyakumari district.
Operates as a weekly service along a strategically important corridor linking border-adjacent
regions, ports, industrial belts and hinterlands.
Passes near destinations such as Darjeeling–Dooars, Visakhapatnam beaches, Madurai
(Meenakshi Temple) and Coimbatore, supporting tourism and regional development.
New Jalpaiguri-Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express: From Darjeeling Foothills to Education Hub
This service creates a long-distance rail corridor from the Northeast gateway to Tamil Nadu’s education
and temple hubs.
Begins at New Jalpaiguri, a strategically important border-region station, and connects it with
Tiruchirappalli.
Passes through destinations including Agra, Prayagraj, Bhubaneswar, the Cauvery delta, Thanjavur
and Chennai.
Strengthens access to markets, tourism centres, educational institutions and employment hubs,
boosting local economies.
Alipurduar-Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express: Boosting Border-to-Tech Connectivity
Providing a direct rail link between a strategic border district and India’s technology capital, this service
enhances east–south connectivity.
Weekly service connecting Alipurduar near Bhutan with SMVT Bengaluru.
Train Timings:
Departs Alipurduar at 10:25 PM on Mondays.
Returns from Bengaluru at 8:50 AM on Saturdays.
Serves districts across West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka,
promoting tourism and economic integration.
Alipurduar-Mumbai (Panvel) Amrit Bharat Express: Northeast’s Gateway to Mumbai Metropolis
An important east–west rail corridor connecting North Bengal’s border belt with the Mumbai suburban
region.Weekly service connecting Alipurduar with Panvel, traversing West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh,
Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Train Timings:
Departs Alipurduar early Thursday morning, arrives Panvel by Saturday evening.
Return journey begins Panvel on Monday, concludes Alipurduar on Wednesday.
Provides access to major destinations including Darjeeling, Triveni Sangam, Chitrakoot Dham and
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, supporting tourism and trade.
Santragachi-Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express: Strengthening East-South Rail Connectivity
Strengthening east–south rail connectivity, this service links eastern India with southern metropolitan and
suburban regions.
Connects Santragachi near Kolkata with Tambaram, Chennai’s suburban hub.
Benefits districts across West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu by improving access
to education, healthcare and markets.
Passes near landmarks such as Jagannath Temple, Konark Sun Temple (UNESCO site) and Shore
Temple (UNESCO site), boosting tourism and regional trade.
Connecting Eastern India with the National Capital: Howrah - Anand Vihar Amrit Bharat Express
This service provides a fast and dependable rail link between eastern India and the National Capital
Region.
Weekly service connecting Howrah with Anand Vihar Terminal, Delhi.
Train Timings:
Departs Howrah at 11:10 PM on Thursdays, arrives Anand Vihar at 2:50 AM on Saturdays.
Return journey departs Anand Vihar at 5:15 AM on Saturdays, arrives Howrah at 10:50 AM on
Sundays.
Serves major districts across West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, improving access to
employment and administrative centres.Kolkata (Sealdah) - Banaras Amrit Bharat Express: Faith Fusion - Jyotirlinga to Gurdwara Ghats
Enhancing connectivity between eastern India and one of the country’s most significant spiritual centres.
Daily service connecting Sealdah in Kolkata with Banaras.
Train Timings:
Departs Sealdah at 7:30 PM, arrives Banaras at 7:20 AM the next day.
Return journey departs Banaras at 10:10 PM, arrives Sealdah at 9:55 AM the next day.
Passes near pilgrimage destinations including Baidyanath Dham Jyotirlinga, Takht Sri Patna Sahib,
Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Sarnath, boosting religious tourism and regional growth.Conclusion
The Amrit Bharat Express represents a decisive step towards strengthening India’s long-distance rail
network with a clear focus on inclusivity and scale. By combining affordability, extensive geographic
reach, and passenger-oriented design, it supports mobility needs across regions that are critical for
economic integration and social cohesion. As the network continues to expand, the Amrit Bharat Express
is positioned to play a lasting role in connecting people, regions, and opportunities across the country.
References
Ministry of Railways
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2214291®=3&lang=1
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2150183®=3&lang=1
PIB Research
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