Indian Railways has long been central to India’s social and economic life, carrying millions of passengers every day across states, cultures, and livelihoods. For a vast section of the population, train travel is not a luxury but a daily requirement—linking homes to workplaces, markets, education centres, and places of faith. As India approaches two centuries of rail travel, the national transporter continues to modernise its services with a sharp focus on safety, reliability, and passenger convenience, particularly for those who depend on affordable mass transport, according to PIB.
In recent years, Indian Railways has worked to extend comfort and service standards beyond premium trains, building a more inclusive and passenger-centric system. This approach aligns with the broader goal of ensuring that long-distance travel remains accessible, predictable in cost, and dependable, even during peak seasons and periods of heavy migration.
Amrit Bharat Express: Affordable Travel at Scale
Within this vision, the Amrit Bharat Express has emerged as a key initiative aimed at everyday travellers. Introduced in December 2023 as part of the Amrit Kaal agenda, the service is designed as a modern, non-AC long-distance sleeper train focused on affordability and capacity. Since its launch, 30 Amrit Bharat Express trains have already become operational, with nine more services now being added to the network, according to PIB.
The Amrit Bharat Express follows a simple fare structure, with prices of around ₹500 per 1,000 kilometres and proportionately lower fares for shorter journeys. Importantly, there is no dynamic pricing, offering passengers clarity and predictability in travel costs. The trains are fully non-AC and typically include 11 General Class coaches, 8 Sleeper Class coaches, a Pantry Car, and two Second Class–cum–Luggage–cum–Guard Vans equipped with disabled-friendly compartments. Built to handle high passenger volumes, especially during festive seasons, the service supports travel for employment, education, tourism, and family needs across regions, the PIB report added.
Nine New Trains to Strengthen Long-Distance Connectivity
The addition of nine new Amrit Bharat Express trains marks a significant expansion, particularly enhancing connectivity between eastern, north-eastern, northern, western, and southern India.
One of the key new links is the Kamakhya–Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express, connecting Assam’s major spiritual centre with Haryana. Operating weekly, it passes through six states and improves access to destinations such as Kamakhya Temple and the Ganga ghats of Varanasi. Similarly, the Dibrugarh–Lucknow Amrit Bharat Express establishes a crucial connection between the North-East and Uttar Pradesh, passing near important sites like Kaziranga National Park, Ayodhya, and Lucknow, with expected benefits for tourism and local trade.
Long east–south corridors are also being strengthened. The New Jalpaiguri–Nagercoil and New Jalpaiguri–Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express services link the eastern Himalayan foothills with Tamil Nadu’s industrial, educational, and temple hubs, passing close to cities such as Visakhapatnam, Madurai, Chennai, and Coimbatore. These routes are expected to support regional development by improving access to markets and institutions.
Border and metropolitan connectivity is another focus area. The Alipurduar–SMVT Bengaluru train connects a border district near Bhutan with India’s technology capital, while the Alipurduar–Panvel (Mumbai) service creates a direct east–west corridor linking North Bengal with the Mumbai metropolitan region. Both operate weekly and traverse multiple states, supporting economic integration and labour mobility.
Eastern India also gains improved links to major southern and northern centres. The Santragachi–Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express strengthens connectivity between eastern India and Chennai’s suburban region, benefiting districts across four states and enhancing access to education and healthcare. The Howrah–Anand Vihar Terminal service offers a dependable weekly link between eastern India and the National Capital Region, improving access to administrative and employment hubs.
Rounding out the expansion is the Sealdah–Banaras Amrit Bharat Express, a daily service enhancing connectivity between Kolkata and one of India’s most significant spiritual cities. Passing near major pilgrimage destinations, it is expected to give a boost to religious tourism and regional economic activity.
A Step Towards Inclusive Rail Mobility
With its emphasis on affordability, scale, and geographic reach, the Amrit Bharat Express represents a strategic push to strengthen India’s long-distance rail network for the masses. By focusing on regions that rely heavily on non-AC travel and predictable fares, Indian Railways is reinforcing its role as a unifying force—connecting people, opportunities, and aspirations across the country. As more routes are added, the service is set to play an increasingly important role in supporting economic integration and social cohesion nationwide.