Southern Railway is gearing up to launch its first Amrit Bharat Express train! This non-air-conditioned service will travel from Erode in Tamil Nadu to Jogbani in Bihar. The official flag-off by Prime Minister Modi is set for September 15.
This new train service, numbered 16601/16602, covers more than 3,300 km, spanning eight railway zones. It departs from Erode every Thursday at 7 PM and returns from Jogbani every Sunday at 7:30 AM. Notably, it will pass through major cities like Salem, Katpadi, Vijayawada, Nagpur, and Patna, making over 50 stops along the way.
The Amrit Bharat Express will have 22 coaches, which include a mix of second-class sitting and luggage coaches, along with dedicated staff areas. Until Jogbani receives its maintenance facility, the train will be serviced at Erode and Katihar.
Designed for passengers traveling frequently between southern and northern states, this service promises to ease long-distance travel. A similar service was previously introduced in other regions, but delays in this rollout raised concerns. The first Amrit Bharat rake was assigned in February but remained inactive due to various issues. Now, the launch represents a significant step toward improving connectivity across India.
Interestingly, the introduction of the Amrit Bharat Express aligns with broader improvements in the Indian Railways. Recent studies indicate that the demand for affordable long-distance train travel is increasing. Nearly 75% of travelers cite cost as a primary concern when selecting train services, making this train a crucial option for many.
As social media buzzes with excitement over the new service, many users express hopes that this train will lead to additional routes and options in the future. The anticipation is palpable, and industry experts believe that enhanced train services like this one could impact tourism and local economies significantly.
Stay tuned for more updates on travel and transport advancements in India!