Indian Railways has announced three new Amrit Bharat Express trains for Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, giving a major boost to long-distance connectivity between eastern and southern India. These trains will operate weekly and are being seen as a big relief for passengers ahead of the upcoming elections in both states.
The Railway Board has officially approved the routes and schedules, and preparations to launch the services are underway.
These Will Be the Three Routes
The new Amrit Bharat trains will run on the following routes:
- Tambaram (Chennai) – Santragachi (West Bengal)
- Tiruchirappalli – New Jalpaiguri
- Nagercoil – New Jalpaiguri
These routes will directly connect Tamil Nadu with West Bengal via eastern and northeastern India, making long-distance travel more convenient and affordable.
How Many Coaches Will the Train Have?
Each Amrit Bharat Express will include:
- 8 Sleeper coaches
- 11 Second Class Sitting coaches
- 1 Coach for Divyang (specially-abled) passengers
- 1 Pantry Car for onboard food services
These trains are designed as a non-AC, budget-friendly alternative to Vande Bharat, focusing on comfort for middle-class and long-distance travellers.
When Will the Trains Start?
According to railway sources, these trains are likely to be flagged off from 17 January. They are part of the larger plan to introduce 11 new Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains across multiple states including Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Why This Is Important?
There has been a long-standing demand for better train connectivity between South India, East India and the Northeast. Routes like Chennai–Howrah are among the busiest in the country. The launch of these new trains will:
- Reduce travel pressure on existing routes
- Make inter-state travel more affordable
- Improve connectivity between southern and eastern India
- Benefit migrant workers, students and long-distance travellers
This move is being seen as both a connectivity boost and a passenger-friendly step by Indian Railways.