• Source:JND

Bengaluru News: Bengaluru will soon see improved rail connectivity to West Bengal, with three new long-distance trains announced by Indian Railways. One of the key additions is an Amrit Bharat Express linking Bengaluru with Alipurduar. The move comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to flag off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Howrah and Guwahati later this month.

Amrit Bharat Express To Connect Bengaluru With Alipurduar

According to a timetable issued by the Railway Board, the weekly Amrit Bharat Express will depart from Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal in Bengaluru on Saturdays and reach Alipurduar on Mondays. The return journey will begin from Alipurduar on Mondays, with the train arriving back in Bengaluru on Thursdays.

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Weekly Service Schedule Released By Railway Board

This will be the second Amrit Bharat Express for Bengaluru. The first service, connecting the city to Malda in West Bengal, was introduced in 2023 when Amrit Bharat trains were launched. These trains are positioned as a lower-cost option for long-distance travel while offering improved comfort.

Two More Weekly Trains Planned To Balurghat And Radhikapur

Two other weekly services have also been announced from SMVT Bengaluru to Balurghat and Radhikapur in West Bengal. While these routes were initially planned with Amrit Bharat coaches, they will now operate as regular express trains.

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Amrit Bharat Trains Offer Affordable Long-Distance Travel

Amrit Bharat Express trains are hauled by specially designed WAP-5 locomotives and can run at speeds of up to 130 kilometres per hour. They consist of 22 non-air-conditioned coaches, including several unreserved coaches and sleeper compartments. Facilities include CCTV cameras, fire-resistant seats, charging points, water bottle holders and pantry services. Each train can carry more than 1,800 passengers.

Commuters welcomed the new services, especially those catering to migrant workers. However, some passengers said rail connectivity to states such as Bihar and Jharkhand should also be expanded to meet growing demand.


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