| Amrit Bharat Express | |
|---|---|
 SMVT Bengaluru - Malda Town Amrit Bharat Express at SMVT Bengaluru | |
| Overview | |
| Service type | SuperFast Express Train |
| Status | Operational |
| First service | December 30, 2023 |
| Website | indianrail |
| Route | |
| Line(s) used | 2 |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) |
|
| 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 |
|
| Average length | 23.54 m (77.2 ft) (each) and 22 coaches |
| Rake maintenance | Locomotives - |
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 on both the ends with a maximum operating speed of 110–130 km/h (68–81 mph). The train has a total of 22 coaches.[1] The 22 coaches are divided into 20 coaches for passengers and 2 for parcels.[2]
The train entered commercial service on 1 January 2024.
History
[edit]In July 2023, Indian railways announced plans for a non-air-conditioned train with sleeper and general facilities for long-distance travel.[3] The trainsets are manufactured by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai at the cost of ₹65 crore (US$7.5 million) per trainset.[4] The first train was flagged off on 30 December 2023 and entered commercial service on 1 January 2024.[5] Production for 200 more such trains are in progress, with 50 under construction and 150 more planned.[6]
In January 2025, the Ministry of Railways added twelve major improvements in the train which includes emergency braking system.[7][8]
Services
[edit]As of January 2025[update], two Amrit Bharat Express trains are in service.[9]
| Train name | Train number | Operator | Halts | Frequency | Distance | Travel time | Speed | Inaugural run | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum | Average | |||||||||
| 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 | [10][11] |
| 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) | [10][12] | |
Technology
[edit]The train uses a semi-permanent coupler which is used to negate the effect of jerks.[13]
See also
[edit]- Superfast Express trains in India
- Vande Bharat Express
- Namo Bharat Rapid Rail
- Jan Sadharan Express
- Antyodaya Express
References
[edit]- ^ "ICF set to produce 50 Amrit Bharat sleeper train sets, says Union Railways Minister". The Hindu. 10 January 2025.
The AB train would be a 22-coach train with two engines on the front and back, which could travel at a speed of 130 kmph.
- ^ "Good News For General Class Train Passengers: 50 New Amrit Bharat Express Coming Soon". Zee News. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
Of these 20, 10 are sleeper coaches and 10 are general coaches.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Vaishnaw: 50 Amrit Bharat trains to be manufactured at Integral Coach Factory in 2 yrs". The Indian Express. 11 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
The Ministry of Railways has added 12 major improvements on the Amrit Bharat Version 2.0 trains including modular toilets and emergency braking system
- ^ Mishra, Dheeraj (27 January 2025). "Amrit Bharat 2.0, train to Kashmir, Kavach to be among highlights for Railways in Budget". The Indian Express.
- ^ "PM Modi flags off first-ever Amrit Bharat Express train on two routes, here's all you need to know about these jerk-free trains". Financialexpress. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
The newly introduced 'jerk-free' express trains are scheduled to operate on two routes—Darbhanga in Bihar to Anand Vihar in Delhi via Ayodhya, as well as from Malda Town in West Bengal to Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminus in Bengaluru. Passengers on these routes can expect a smoother and more comfortable travel experience due to the advanced technology implemented in these trains.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Watch: Inside Look Of Amrit Bharat Train Inaugurated By PM Modi". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
The train is equipped with latest technology to ensure a jerk-free journey, said railways officials. "The Amrit Bharat trains have a special type of coupler called semi-permanent coupler which negates jerk effect.
