Amrit Bharat Express

Amrit Bharat Express
An Amrit Bharat train-set
Overview
Service type	SuperFast Express Train
Status	Operational
First service	30 December 2023
Website	indianrail.gov.in
Route
Line(s) used	2
On-board services
Class(es)	Sleeper Class Coach (SL) General Unreserved Coach (GS)
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Other facilities	Electric outlet Reading light CCTV cameras Bio-vacuum toilet Sensor-based water taps Passenger information system
Technical
Rolling stock	Amrit Bharat (trainset)
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification	Locomotives - 25 kV 50 Hz AC via Overhead line
Operating speed	130 km/h (81 mph) (maximum) Design speed: 160 km/h (99 mph)
Average length	23.54 m (77.2 ft) (each) and 22 coaches
Rake maintenance	Locomotives - Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) Coaches - Integral Coach Factory (ICF)

The Amrit Bharat Express is a no-frills superfast express service operated by Indian Railways. It is a non air-conditioned, low-cost, sleeper cum unreserved service connecting cities that are more than 800 km (500 mi) apart or take more than ten hours to travel with existing services. The trainset consists of two locomotives, one on either side and 22 coaches with a maximum operating speed of 110–130 km/h (68–81 mph). The train entered commercial service on 1 January 2024.

History

In July 2023, Indian railways announced plans for a non air-conditioned train with sleeper and general facilities for long-distance travel. The train-sets are manufactured by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai at the cost of ₹65 crore (US$8.1 million) per train-set. The first train was flagged off on 30 December 2023 and entered commercial service on 1 January 2024.

Rake

Amrit Bharat trains have upgraded non air-conditioned second-class and three-tier sleeper coaches. The coaches are manufactured by Integral Coach Factory at Chennai. In contrast to other Indian trains, the train-sets will have a locomotive at both ends in a push-pull configuration, enabling better acceleration and shorter turnaround times in direction reversals. The train-sets will be powered by two WAP-5 locomotives with vibration resistance engines manufactured by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works.

Each train-set consists of 22 coaches: 12 3-tier sleeper class, eight second-class and two luggage coaches. The coaches are equipped with electric outlets, reading lights, CCTV cameras, bio-vacuum toilets, Sensor-based water taps and Passenger information system. The train-sets will also have semi-permanent couplers to avoid shocks during starting and stopping of the train and fully-covered vestibules to facilitate stability and safety. The trains will operate at a maximum permissible speed (MPS) of 130 km/h.

Services

On 30 December 2023, the train was flagged off by then Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ayodhya Dham Junction. The first commercial service commenced on 1 January 2024.

See also

• Superfast Express trains in India
• Vande Bharat Express
• RapidX