With a renewed effort to enhance the rail travel experience for both regular and long-distance customers, Indian Railways is poised to reach a major milestone in the next year. Indian Railways plans to launch nine new Amrit Bharat Express trains from Assam and West Bengal, combining comfort and affordability to expand the network of contemporary, non-AC long-distance services targeted directly at the average traveler. By traveling through heavily populous states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and reaching distant locations in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, these new services would improve connectivity from the eastern and northeastern areas to important parts of the country.
The expansion is anticipated to reduce the growing demand for long-distance train travel while providing a more dependable and comfortable experience at a price that is still affordable for millions of people. Indian Railways has gradually revolutionized rail mobility, guaranteeing that luxury and convenience are no longer exclusive to high-end travelers, some 200 years after India’s first train trip. The railways have made consistent investments in passenger-friendly services in an effort to balance affordability with dependability, safety, and enhanced facilities, especially for people who rely on trains for job, education, and family travel. The Amrit Bharat Express has become a crucial project in this regard.
Introduced under the Amrit Kaal vision, the Amrit Bharat Express trains provide non-AC sleeper-class travel at approximately ₹500 per thousand kilometers, featuring transparent pricing without dynamic fluctuations. Since the first train’s launch in December 2023, 30 trains have begun operations, with nine more to come, enhancing connections across India. Notable routes facilitate travel from Guwahati to Rohtak, Dibrugarh to Lucknow, and long-haul services from New Jalpaiguri to various destinations in Tamil Nadu. New services will improve connectivity from Alipurduar to major southern and western hubs, benefiting migrant workers, students, and families traveling between eastern India and significant centers in the south.
For economically significant yet remote regions, the Amrit Bharat Express is set to enhance access to employment, education, healthcare, and markets, linking eastern and northeastern states with major urban centers like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mumbai. It aims to improve workforce mobility and student travel while benefiting industrial zones, coastal areas, and pilgrimage sites. The express features modern amenities for long-distance comfort, including foldable snack tables, mobile holders, improved seating, and hygienic facilities. By modernizing non-AC long-distance travel, it reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to passenger-centric design and operational efficiency, delivering comfort at affordable fares.