Prime Minister Narendra Modi will roll out two new Amrit Bharat Express trains, which will enhance long-distance rail connectivity between eastern India and key northern centres. The new services will be on the routes of Howrah-Anand Vihar Terminal (Delhi) and Sealdah-Varanasi (Banaras) to give passengers an option of comfortable yet cheaper travel option through some of the busiest rail routes in the country.
The introduction is included in the overall initiative of Indian Railways modernization of passenger service and the extension of the Amrit Bharat category, which is promoted as a modernized alternative to traditional express trains. These trains are meant to offer better amenities and affordable prices to attract everyday commuters and long-distance travellers, students, migrant workers and families.
The Howrah-Anand Vihar Amrit Bharat Express will also make Kolkata directly connected to the national capital region, and make travelling easier in terms of communication. The route is likely to reach several stations in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and will relieve some of the pressure on the already existing premium and express services that are likely to be at their full capacity.
This service will also join the other significant Kolkata terminal and one of the most important cultural and pilgrimage centres in India, the Sealdah Varanasi service. The train will positively impact tourists, pilgrims, and local passengers who are major consumers of rail because of its affordability in inter-state transportation.
Amrit Bharat Express trains have newer and modernized coaches with better seating, better lighting and onboard facilities, unlike the traditional express services. Although not targeting high-speed or premium trains like Vande Bharat or Rajdhani, they are expected to increase the overall quality of travelling in long routes, which have huge volumes of passengers.
According to railway authorities, the two services will be introduced so that the pressure on available trains will be reduced, the waiting list will decrease, and the reliability of the schedules will increase. The decision also coincides with the agenda of the government on infrastructure development and connectivity in the region, especially in longer corridors with high demand to the eastern region of India and the national capital and the religious centre.
It is believed that the inauguration is part of a larger introduction of new rail services in various states, which is a sign of how Indian Railways intends to expand the Amrit Bharat network all across the country. Ticket bookings, elaborate schedules, and the full list of stoppages can be accessed by passengers in the near future once the official launch is made.
These additions still see Indian Railways working towards achieving a balance between comfort, capacity and affordability in an attempt to make long-distance travel through trains more affordable to millions of passengers every day.
