What is the Amrit Bharat Express?
Before diving into the new routes, it’s worth remembering what makes the Amrit Bharat Express significant. Launched in late 2023, these trains are designed to provide a comfortable and affordable travel option for long-distance journeys. Unlike the fully
air-conditioned Vande Bharat, the Amrit Bharat focuses on non-AC sleeper and unreserved general class travel, catering to millions of everyday travellers and migrant workers. Featuring push-pull technology for faster acceleration and deceleration, these trains offer improved amenities like better seating, bio-toilets, mobile charging points, and enhanced safety features, aiming to elevate the standard of budget train travel in India.
1. Dhanbad to Coimbatore
This new service provides a crucial long-distance link between the coal capital of India, Dhanbad in Jharkhand, and the industrial hub of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. The route is set to traverse a significant portion of the country, passing through states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. Key stops are expected to include Gaya, Prayagraj, Jabalpur, Nagpur, Vijayawada, and Salem, connecting major religious, industrial, and commercial centres across central and southern India. This train will significantly benefit passengers travelling between eastern and southern India for work and other purposes.
2. Charlapalli to Gorakhpur
Connecting Telangana's Charlapalli (near Hyderabad) with Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, this train establishes a direct corridor between the south and the Purvanchal region. The service will pass through major cities like Nagpur, Bhopal, Jhansi, Kanpur, and Lucknow. This route is poised to benefit a large number of students and workers who migrate between these regions, offering a much-needed direct and affordable travel option. Key stations benefiting from this service include Kazipet, Peddapalli, Mancherial, and Balharshah.
3. Gorakhpur to Delhi
This service will bolster connectivity between Gorakhpur, a major city in eastern Uttar Pradesh, and the national capital. The train is slated to run weekly, with proposed stops at Basti, Gonda, Sitapur, Bareilly, and Moradabad. By connecting these key towns in Uttar Pradesh directly to Delhi, the train will help ease the immense passenger traffic on this high-demand corridor and provide a reliable option for frequent travellers.
4. Gorakhpur to Bandra Terminus (Mumbai)
The second new service originating from Gorakhpur will connect it to Mumbai's Bandra Terminus. This route addresses the heavy passenger flow between eastern UP and the financial capital of India. The train will travel through major stations such as Kanpur Central, Agra Fort, Kota, Ratlam, Vadodara, and Surat, providing a vital link for passengers across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
5. Prayagraj to Udhna (Surat)
This weekly service will connect the holy city of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh with Udhna, near Surat in Gujarat. The approved route includes stops at Fatehpur, Etawah, Agra, Kota, Ratlam, and Vadodara. This train is expected to be a boon for passengers from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan travelling to the commercial and textile hubs of Gujarat for employment and business.
6. Two Services from Prayagraj Region to Mumbai
To cater to the dense traffic to Mumbai, two separate weekly services have been approved from the Prayagraj region. The first is the Prayagraj-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) Express, which will run via a direct route through Satna, Jabalpur, Itarsi, and Bhusaval. The second is the Subedarganj-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express. Subedarganj is a key station in the Prayagraj area. This train will follow a slightly different path, including stops at Chitrakutdham, Satna, Jabalpur, Khandwa, and Nasik Road before reaching LTT.
