Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu on March 11, during which he will flag off the inaugural run of the Amrit Bharat Express between Podanur and Dhanbad.
The new train, numbered 16619/16620 Podanur-Dhanbad-Podanur Amrit Bharat Express, will pass through key stations including Jharsuguda and Rourkela under the Chakradharpur Railway Division.
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For the inaugural run on March 11, the special train (No. 06619) will depart Podanur at 5:30 PM, reaching Jharsuguda at 3:00 AM on the second day, Rourkela at 4:24 AM, and finally Dhanbad at 12:30 PM on the third day.
Railway officials said the service will significantly improve connectivity for residents of the Rourkela and Jharsuguda regions. It will particularly benefit patients and their families travelling to hospitals in southern India, including the well-known medical facilities in Vellore.
The train will also strengthen connectivity among multiple states, aiding trade, education and tourism.
The Amrit Bharat Express will have 22 coaches, including 11 general coaches, eight sleeper coaches, one pantry car and two guard vans. The date for regular operations will be announced soon by Indian Railways.
Once operational, Train No. 16619 Podanur-Dhanbad Amrit Bharat Express will depart Podanur every Saturday at 6:15 AM, reaching Jharsuguda on Sunday at 5:30 PM, Rourkela at 7:40 PM, and Dhanbad at 4:00 AM on Monday.
The return service, Train No. 16620 Dhanbad-Podanur Amrit Bharat Express, will leave Dhanbad every Monday at 2:00 PM, arriving at Rourkela at 9:26 PM, Jharsuguda at 11:28 PM, and Podanur by 11:20 AM on Wednesday.
The train will halt at 35 stations along the route, including Coimbatore, Tirupur, Salem, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Sambalpur, Ranchi, Bokaro Steel City, and several other stations before reaching Dhanbad.