With four new launches, Bihar leads Amrit Bharat services with five trains from the state

These trains feature modern amenities, such as foldable snack tables, mobile and bottle holders, fast-charging ports, radium-lit flooring, and improved seating. (Representative image)

With the launch of four new non-AC Amrit Bharat trains by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, Bihar has now become the originating point for five of these upgraded, high-tech trains designed to serve the economically weaker sections.

This gives the poll-bound state the distinction of hosting the highest number of Amrit Bharat trains in the country.

Before Friday’s inauguration, Bihar was home to two Amrit Bharat services -- the Darbhanga–Anand Vihar Terminal train launched in 2023, and the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Saharsa service introduced on April 24.

The addition of four new trains raises the total to five, railway officials confirmed.

These new trains are upgraded models, offering enhanced passenger amenities and advanced safety features.

>> Rajendra Nagar–New Delhi Amrit Bharat: Covering around 1,000 km in 17.5 hours, the sleeper class fare is set at Rs 560. Regular service begins July 31.

>> Bapudham Motihari–Anand Vihar (Delhi): Also spans about 1,000 km with sleeper class fare of Rs 555. A date for its regular operations will be announced separately.

>> Darbhanga–Gomti Nagar (Uttar Pradesh): Priced at Rs 415 for sleeper class, it begins regular service on July 26.

>> Bhagalpur–Gomti Nagar via Malda Town: Though technically starting from West Bengal, this weekly service from July 24 mostly passes through Bihar.

According to Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity, Railway Board, the Amrit Bharat trains are capable of speeds up to 130 km/h and are designed to offer a safe, comfortable, and affordable travel experience for middle- and lower-income passengers.

These trains feature modern amenities, such as foldable snack tables, mobile and bottle holders, fast-charging ports, radium-lit flooring, and improved seating. They are also equipped with enhanced safety technologies, including air springs for smoother rides, divyang-friendly toilets with automated systems, semi-automatic couplers with crash tubes, vacuum evacuation systems, and onboard fire detection and communication tools.

With just three Amrit Bharat trains operating before these latest additions, the Ministry of Railways is now planning to manufacture 100 more rakes under the initiative to expand affordable, high-tech rail connectivity across India.