New Amrit Bharat train from Howrah to Chennai: All about the non-AC, low-cost superfast

Amrit Bharat train

Indian Railways is set to introduce the Howrah-Chennai Amrit Bharat Express, a new bi-weekly service aimed at improving connectivity on one of the country’s busiest rail corridors.

The train will cover the 1,662-kilometre stretch between Howrah Junction and MGR Chennai Central in under 26 hours, travelling via Visakhapatnam and halting at major stations such as Kharagpur, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Gudur.

The Amrit Bharat Express is designed as a non-air-conditioned, low-cost, superfast service, offering both Sleeper and General Class coaches.

Tickets for the Sleeper Class between Howrah and Chennai are expected to cost around Rs 800, making it an affordable option for long-distance travellers, an ET Now report said.

The train will operate twice a week, departing Howrah around 22:00 and arriving in Chennai at approximately 01:00. The return journey from Chennai is scheduled to leave at 18:00, reaching Howrah at about 20:30 the following day.

With a maximum speed of 130 km/h, the Amrit Bharat Express is part of Indian Railways’ broader plan to launch 50 such trains in the 2025-26 financial year, targeting routes with high passenger demand.