Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian Railways has taken a significant leap forward in enhancing inter-regional connectivity and passenger amenities with the introduction of advanced next-generation trains.
Today, the Prime Minister virtually flagged off three new Amrit Bharat Express trains and two additional services equipped with state-of-the-art LHB coaches, marking a milestone in affordable, efficient, and comfortable rail travel.
The Amrit Bharat Express represents a modern upgrade in India’s railway fleet, featuring LHB rakes with push-pull technology that enables faster acceleration, smoother rides, and greater operational efficiency. Prioritising passenger safety and comfort, these trains come equipped with ergonomically designed berths, contemporary modular toilets, energy-efficient LED lighting, comprehensive CCTV surveillance, and convenient mobile charging points. These innovations aim to provide a secure, reliable, and enjoyable journey at budget-friendly fares, especially catering to lower and middle-income travellers.
The inaugural runs flagged off today include:
- Alipurduar Junction–SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express: Departing from Alipurduar Junction at 13:45 hrs on January 17, 2026, and arriving at SMVT Bengaluru at 16:50 hrs on January 19, 2026.
- New Jalpaiguri–Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express: Departing from Rangapani at 13:45 hrs on January 17, 2026, and arriving at Nagercoil at 19:15 hrs on January 19, 2026.
- New Jalpaiguri–Tiruchchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express: Departing from New Jalpaiguri at 13:45 hrs on January 17, 2026, and arriving at Tiruchchirappalli at 14:15 hrs on January 19, 2026.
In addition to these, two new LHB-coach trains were also launched:
- Radhikapur–SMVT Bengaluru Express: Departing from Radhikapur at 13:45 hrs on January 17, 2026, and arriving at SMVT Bengaluru at 15:05 hrs on January 19, 2026.
- Balurghat–SMVT Bengaluru Express: Departing from Balurghat at 13:45 hrs on January 17, 2026, and arriving at SMVT Bengaluru at 09:40 hrs on January 19, 2026.
All these services will traverse through Odisha under the East Coast Railway jurisdiction, further strengthening rail links in the region. Regular operation schedules for these trains will be announced soon.
Notably, Odisha already benefits from two existing Amrit Bharat Express services, such as the Brahmapur–Udhna route, highlighting the ongoing expansion of modern rail infrastructure in the state.
