Amrit Bharat Express

This article is about Amrit Bharat Express services offered by Indian Railways. For the trainset, see Amrit Bharat (trainset).

Amrit Bharat Express
SMVT Bengaluru - Malda Town Amrit Bharat Express at SMVT Bengaluru
Overview
Service typeSuperFast Express Train
StatusOperational
First service30 December 2023 (30 December 2023)
Websiteindianrail.gov.in
Route
Line(s) used2
On-board services
Class(es)
  • Sleeper Class Coach (SL)
  • General Unreserved Coach (GS)
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Other facilities
Technical
Rolling stockAmrit Bharat (trainset)
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
ElectrificationLocomotives - 25 kV 50 Hz AC via Overhead line
Operating speed
  • 130 km/h (81 mph) (maximum)
  • 160 km/h (99 mph) (design)
Average length23.54 m (77.2 ft) (each) and 22 coaches
Rake maintenanceLocomotives -

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.

History

In 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$7.6 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

On 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

References

  1. ^ "Indian Railways To Soon Launch Budget-Friendly Non-AC Vande Sadharn train". Times Now. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Indian Railways: What is Vande Sadharan Train? What are its similarities with Vande Bharat train?". Zee Business. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "200 Amrit Bharat non-AC trains in production to cater to demand". Business Today. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  5. ^ "PM Modi flags off 2 Amrit Bharat, 6 Vande Bharat Express trains in Ayodhya". Hindustan Times. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Darbhanga–Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express". Indiarailinfo. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Malda Town–SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express". Indiarailinfo. Retrieved 31 December 2023.