Indian Railways will soon roll out an upgraded version of the Amrit Bharat. Termed as Amrit Bharat 2.0 is an LHB push-pull train with non-air-conditioned coaches. This train will also have an exclusive locomotive which will be attached to pull the train. It provides improved facilities for rail passengers like beautiful and attractive designed seats, better luggage rack, mobile charging points with suitable mobile holders, LED lights, CCTV, public information system, among others.
Amrit Bharat's additional features
• Semi-automatic couplers instead of semi-permanent for easy attachment and detachment.
• Crashworthy features.
• Electro pneumatic assisted brake system for quick brake application
• Fully sealed gangway for quick coupling & decoupling
• Vacuum evacuation system similar to Vande Bharat
• Toilets with SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound) material for maintenance friendly & better aesthetics.
• One Divyangjan toilet in sleeper coach.
• Toilet indication light.
• Automatic hygiene odour control system in FRP Modular toilet.
• On-board condition Monitoring system (OBCMS) for real time monitoring of Wheel & Bearing.
• IoT based water level indicators – Internet based water level indicators to help watering station and on-board staff.
• External emergency lights to provide basic lighting during emergency situations like derailments and accidents.
• Charging sockets – USB A & C type ports
• Fans with SS grills.
• Streamlined – LED light fitting.
• Public Address & Passenger information system.
• Tejas type gangway.
• Aerosol-based fire suppression system in toilets and electrical cubicles.
Targeted at low income and low middle-income families, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "50 such Amrit Bharat Version 2.0 trains would be manufactured in the coming two years (at the Integral Coach Factory.). This will provide a very affordable service and very high quality of travelling experience to people travelling long distances." Later talking to PTI Videos, Vaishnaw said the Amrit Bharat train has been designed to provide a comfortable travel experience even to the 'poorest of the poor people.'
"The Amrit Bharat is designed based on the experience of Vande (Bharat) Sleeper and the first version of the Amrit Bharat (which was launched in 2024). The general coach has features like comfortable seats, charging points, mobile phone and water bottle holders and more," he said.
Sharing some of the salient features that have been improved in the Amrit Bharat trains, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "12 major improvements have been done in the entire train. Semi-automatic couplets, modular toilets, chair pillars and partitions, emergency talk back feature, emergency brake system, continuous lighting system like Vande Bharat trains, seats and berths with new ergonomic design have been improved." He said the entire pantry car in the Amrit Bharat Version 2.0 trains have been built using a new design.
At present, two Amrit Bharat trains are operated by Indian Railways—one between Anand Vihar and Darbhanga and another between Malda and Bengaluru. The Anand Vihar Amrit Bharat Express costs Rs 600 for sleeper class for the complete journey as against almost Rs 1,500 for an AC third-class ticket.
Similarly, the Amrit Bharat train from Malda will cost Rs 925 as against a third-class ticket of more than Rs 2,100.
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