The Amrit Bharat Express is a superfast express service operated by Indian Railways. It is a non-air-conditioned, low-cost, sleeper cum unreserved service connecting cities that are more than 800 km (500 mi) apart or take more than ten hours to travel with existing services. The trainset consists of two locomotives, one on either side and 22 coaches with a maximum operating speed of 110–130 km/h (68–81 mph). The train entered commercial service on 1 January 2024.
| Amrit Bharat Express | |
|---|---|
 SMVT Bengaluru - Malda Town Amrit Bharat Express at SMVT Bengaluru | |
| Overview | |
| Service type | SuperFast Express Train |
| Status | Operational |
| First service | 30 December 2023 |
| Website | indianrail |
| Route | |
| Line(s) used | 2 |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | Sleeper Class Coach (SL) General Unreserved Coach (GS) |
| Sleeping arrangements | Yes |
| Other facilities | |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | Amrit Bharat (trainset) |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
| Electrification | Locomotives - 25 kV 50 Hz AC via Overhead line |
| Operating speed | 130 km/h (81 mph) (maximum) Design speed: 160 km/h (99 mph) |
| Average length | 23.54 m (77.2 ft) (each) and 22 coaches |
| Rake maintenance | Locomotives - Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) Coaches - Integral Coach Factory (ICF) |
History
editIn July 2023, Indian railways announced plans for a non-air-conditioned train with sleeper and general facilities for long-distance travel.[1] The trainsets are manufactured by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai at the cost of ₹65 crore (US$7.8 million) per trainset.[2] The first train was flagged off on 30 December 2023 and entered commercial service on 1 January 2024.[3] Production for 200 more such trains are in progress, with 50 under construction and 150 more planned.[4]
Services
editOn 30 December 2023, the train was flagged off by then Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ayodhya Dham Junction.[5] The first commercial service commenced on 1 January 2024.[6]
| S.No. | Train name | Train number | Operator | Halts | Frequency | Distance | Travel time | Speed | Inaugural run | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum | Average | ||||||||||
| 1 | Darbhanga–Anand Vihar Terminal | 15557/15558 | ECR | 18 | Bi-Weekly | 1,137 km (706 mi) | 20h 40m | 130 km/h (81 mph) | 55 km/h (34 mph) | 30 December 2023 | [7][8] |
| 2 | Malda Town–SMVT Bengaluru | 13433/13434 | ER | 32 | Weekly | 2,272 km (1,412 mi) | 45h 10m | 130 km/h (81 mph) | 50 km/h (31 mph) | [7][9] | |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Indian Railways To Soon Launch Budget-Friendly Non-AC Vande Sadharn train". Times Now. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Indian Railways: What is Vande Sadharan Train? What are its similarities with Vande Bharat train?". Zee Business. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "PM Modi to inaugurate 'Amrit Bharat Express' on Dec 30. All you need to know about this 'sleeper Vande Bharat' train". Hindustan Times. 27 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "200 Amrit Bharat non-AC trains in production to cater to demand". Business Today. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ "PM Modi flags off 2 Amrit Bharat, 6 Vande Bharat Express trains in Ayodhya". Hindustan Times. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ "PM Modi flags off new Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat trains from Ayodhya Dham Junction: Routes, features and all you need to know". News9. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ a b "PM Modi flags off 2 new Amrit Bharat, 6 Vande Bharat Express trains during Ayodhya visit; check routes & other details". The Times of India. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ "Darbhanga–Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express". Indiarailinfo. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ "Malda Town–SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express". Indiarailinfo. Retrieved 31 December 2023.