Malda Town, West Bengal, January 17, 2026, 11:03 p.m. IST
India expands affordable rail travel as PM Modi flags off new Amrit Bharat Express routes linking Bihar, Bengal, Assam, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
India’s railway network received a major boost on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off multiple new Amrit Bharat Express services along with the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train. The historic launch took place from Malda Town in West Bengal, strengthening affordable long-distance rail connectivity across eastern, northeastern, and northern India.
The expansion is being seen as a major step toward improving mobility for millions of passengers, especially migrant workers, students, traders, and middle-income families who depend on budget-friendly train travel.
Railway officials said the new routes will soon operate on regular schedules following their inaugural runs, ensuring dependable and frequent services on some of India’s busiest travel corridors.
Bihar Emerges as a Key Rail Hub
Bihar stands out as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the new Amrit Bharat Express expansion. Five newly introduced trains will halt at major stations across the state, improving direct access to several parts of the country.
Key Bihar stations covered under the new services include Khagaria, Begusarai, Gaya, Patna, Barauni Junction, Hajipur, and Sonepur. These stops are expected to significantly ease long-distance travel for residents and migrant workers.
One of the most notable additions is the Siliguri–Panvel Amrit Bharat Express, launched on January 17. The train passes through Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Patliputra Junction, and Danapur, directly linking Bihar with Maharashtra.
Two more important services will start operations from January 18. The Dibrugarh–Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Express and the Kamakhya–Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express will connect Assam and Haryana while passing through several Bihar junctions. These routes strengthen Bihar’s position as a central transit corridor in India’s rail map.
West Bengal Gains Major Long-Distance Routes
West Bengal also receives a significant connectivity upgrade with the launch of three major Amrit Bharat Express trains from Kolkata.
The flagship route among them is the Howrah–Anand Vihar Amrit Bharat Express, covering a distance of around 1,451 kilometers. This train connects Kolkata with Delhi while passing through Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, offering a low-cost alternative for long-distance travelers.
Two additional services include the Sealdah–Banaras Amrit Bharat Express and the Santragachi–Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express, which links West Bengal directly to Tamil Nadu.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that a total of nine Amrit Bharat Express routes have been approved in this phase. These routes connect West Bengal and Assam with key states such as Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu.
At Malda Railway Station, flagged off the first Vande Bharat sleeper train, which will connect Howrah to Guwahati. Also had a pleasant interaction with children who were at the station and on the train. pic.twitter.com/dH2EtkIFtq
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 17, 2026
Modern Facilities at Affordable Prices
The Amrit Bharat Express trains are non-AC services designed specifically for long-distance affordable travel. Despite being budget-friendly, the trains come with several modern passenger facilities.
Key features include foldable snack tables, mobile charging points, improved seating, modern toilets, and better coach design. Officials said the trains are built to offer comfort while keeping fares low.
The average fare is approximately ₹500 per 1,000 kilometers, and importantly, there is no dynamic pricing, making ticket costs predictable and affordable.
According to railway authorities, the Amrit Bharat Express services are aimed at people who travel frequently for employment, education, business, and family reasons, especially on high-demand migration routes.
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Strengthening India’s Rail Vision
The launch of multiple Amrit Bharat Express trains alongside the Vande Bharat Sleeper marks another milestone in the government’s push to modernize Indian Railways while keeping travel inclusive.
Officials said the combination of premium services like Vande Bharat and budget-friendly options like Amrit Bharat ensures that passengers across income groups benefit from improved rail infrastructure.
With regular services expected to begin soon, the new routes are likely to reduce congestion, shorten travel times, and boost economic activity across connected regions.
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