What Are Amrit Bharat Express Trains? 9 New Routes To Connect States Across India

The Indian Railways continues to make steady upgrades to its passenger services. From rolling out modern trains with faster speeds and improved comfort to revamping coaches with enhanced seating, cleaner toilets and tech-savvy safety features, the focus has clearly shifted towards improving the overall travel experience. Recently, the Ministry of Railways has announced the launch of nine new Amrit Bharat Express trains, aimed at strengthening long-distance connectivity across major parts of the country.  As per the official press release, these services will originate from West Bengal and Assam, connecting seven other states en route - Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Key routes include Kamakhya (Guwahati) to Rohtak and Dibrugarh to Lucknow's Gomti Nagar. Additionally, New Jalpaiguri in North Bengal will be connected to Nagercoil and Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu through long-haul weekly services, significantly improving accessibility between eastern, northern and southern regions of India.

"Designed to cater to heavy passenger volumes, especially during festive seasons and peak migration periods, these trains will provide reliable, affordable and comfortable connectivity for travellers commuting for employment, education and family needs across different parts of the country," the statement reads.

What Are Amrit Bharat Express Trains?

Introduced as a new category of affordable, long-distance passenger trains, the Amrit Bharat Express is designed to cater to heavy passenger volumes, particularly during festive seasons and peak migration periods. These locomotive-hauled, non-AC trains focus on providing upgraded amenities while keeping fares affordable for the masses.

Amrit Bharat Express: Routes And Timings

1️⃣ Connecting Assam <=> Haryana pic.twitter.com/LWr7wbZ9wT

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) January 13, 2026

Guwahati (Kamakhya) - Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express

Train number 15671 will depart Kamakhya at 10:00 pm on Friday and arrive in Rohtak at 2:45 pm on Sunday.
Train number 15672 will leave Rohtak at 10:10 pm on Sunday and reach Kamakhya at 12:15 pm on Tuesday.

Dibrugarh - Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) Amrit Bharat Express

Train number 15949 will depart Dibrugarh at 9:00 pm on Friday and arrive at Gomti Nagar at 1:30 pm on Sunday.
Train number 15950 will depart Gomti Nagar at 6:40 pm on Sunday and arrive in Dibrugarh at 12:40 pm on Tuesday.

New Jalpaiguri - Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express

Train number 20604 will depart from Nagercoil every Sunday at 11:00 pm, arriving at New Jalpaiguri at 5:00 am on the fourth day.
Train number 20603 will depart New Jalpaiguri every Wednesday at 4:45 pm and reach Nagercoil at 11:00 pm on the third day.

New Jalpaiguri - Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express

Train number 20601 will depart Tiruchirappalli every Wednesday at 5:45 am and reach New Jalpaiguri at 5:00 am on the third day.
Train number 20609 is scheduled to leave New Jalpaiguri every Friday at 4:45 pm and arrive in Tiruchirappalli at 4:15 pm on the third day.

Alipurduar - SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express

Train number 16597 will leave SMVT Bengaluru every Saturday at 8:50 am and reach Alipurduar at 10:25 am on the third day.
Train number 16598 will depart Alipurduar every Monday at 10:25 pm and reach SMVT Bengaluru at 3:00 am on the fourth day.

Alipurduar - Mumbai (Panvel) Amrit Bharat Express

6️⃣ Connecting West Bengal <=> Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/OS8dAmJj5H

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) January 13, 2026

Train number 11031 will leave Panvel every Monday at 11:50 am and arrive at Alipurduar at 1:50 pm on the third day.
Train number 11032 will leave Alipurduar every Thursday at 4:45 am and reach Panvel at 5:30 am on the third day.

Kolkata (Santragachi) - Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express

Train number 16107 will leave Tambaram every Friday at 3:30 pm and reach Santragachi at 8:15 pm the next day.
Train number 16108 is scheduled to depart Santragachi every Saturday at 11:55 pm and arrive in Tambaram at 10:00 am on the third day.

Kolkata (Howrah) - Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express

Train number 13065 will leave Howrah every Thursday at 11:10 pm and arrive at Anand Vihar at 2:50 am on the third day.
Train number 13066 will depart Anand Vihar every Saturday at 5:15 am and reach Howrah at 10:50 am the next day.

Kolkata (Sealdah) - Banaras Amrit Bharat Express

Train number 22588 will depart Banaras every Sunday, Tuesday and Friday at 10:10 pm and reach Sealdah at 9:55 am the next day.
Train number 22587 will depart Sealdah every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and reach Banaras at 7:20 am the next day.

Amrit Bharat Express: Fares

The Amrit Bharat Express fare is approximately Rs 500 per thousand kilometres.

"With short and medium-distance journeys priced proportionally lower, connecting regions often separated by geography and opportunity. The fare structure is simple and transparent, with no dynamic pricing, making it accessible for the common man," read the release.

Amrit Bharat Express: Key Features

The Amrit Bharat Express trains offer a host of modern, passenger-focused amenities, including:

• Two aerodynamically designed WAP-5 locomotives at both ends, allowing for faster acceleration and deceleration. The locomotive is designed for a maximum speed of 160 km/h, though it typically operates at a maximum permissible speed of 130 km/h.
• Semi-permanent couplers that minimise jerks during starts and stops, enhancing ride comfort.
• A standard rake comprising 22 coaches - 12 Second Class 3-tier Sleeper coaches, eight General Class unreserved coaches and two Guard/Luggage compartments with space for differently-abled passengers.
• Ergonomically designed seats with improved cushioning, each equipped with a mobile charging socket and a dedicated holder.
• Zero-discharge FRP modular toilets with bio-vacuum systems, sensor-based water taps and automatic hygiene odour control.
• CCTV cameras in all coaches, along with fire detection systems and an emergency talk-back unit enabling two-way communication with the train manager.

Amrit Bharat Express Vs Vande Bharat Express: What's The Difference?

While the Amrit Bharat Express and Vande Bharat Express are both part of Indian Railways' modernisation push, the two services cater to very different passenger needs.

Type And Purpose

Amrit Bharat Express trains are budget-friendly, locomotive-hauled, non-AC services designed for long-distance mass transit. Vande Bharat Express trains, on the other hand, are semi-high-speed, self-propelled, fully air-conditioned services meant for faster, premium inter-city travel.

Coaches And Amenities

An Amrit Bharat Express typically consists of 22 non-AC coaches with upgraded seating, safety features and improved basic amenities. Vande Bharat Express trains usually have 16 AC chair car and executive class coaches and offer advanced facilities such as GPS-based passenger information systems, onboard Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, bio-vacuum toilets and catering services.

Routes And Reach

Vande Bharat Express currently operates on multiple short- and medium-distance routes across India, focusing on high-demand city pairs. The Amrit Bharat Express has been launched on select long-distance routes initially, with plans to expand its network to connect more regions, particularly those with high passenger migration.

Fare Structure

Another key difference lies in pricing. Vande Bharat Express fares are significantly higher and include premium services such as onboard meals. Amrit Bharat Express follows a simple, transparent and affordable fare structure with no dynamic pricing, making it a preferred option for budget-conscious travellers.