A significant milestone in India’s railway network was recently marked as the brand-new Amrit Bharat Weekly Express began its inaugural journey from Erode Railway Junction. This new service establishes a vital link between Erode in Tamil Nadu and Jogbani in Bihar.
Designed as a non-air-conditioned superfast train, the Amrit Bharat Express boasts 22 coaches, featuring both comfortable sleeper and spacious unreserved seating options. Its innovative ‘push-pull’ configuration, equipped with locomotives at both ends, ensures rapid acceleration and higher operational speeds, promising a more efficient and swift travel experience for passengers. Each sleeper coach offers 80 berths, while the general second-class coaches are designed to accommodate 100 passengers. The Hindu – Chennai also shared a video on social media showcasing the Amrit Bharat Express departing from Erode Railway Junction on its maiden journey on September 25.
This expansive train journey covers an impressive distance of 3,132 kilometers, connecting passengers across seven diverse Indian states: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The destination, Jogbani, is strategically located in Bihar’s Araria district, right on the Indo-Nepal border. It’s a bustling center for cross-border trade and features a crucial customs checkpoint, with its railway station serving as the final point on the Indian side of the frontier. To ensure the utmost safety for all travelers, the entire train is fitted with state-of-the-art CCTV cameras.
Following a ceremonial flag-off on September 15, the regular timetable for the Amrit Bharat Express came into effect. Services from Erode commenced on September 25, while departures from Jogbani began on September 28. Train No. 16601, the Erode-Jogbani Amrit Bharat Weekly Express, sets off from Erode Junction every Thursday at 8:10 AM, reaching its destination in Jogbani by 7:00 PM on Saturdays. For the return trip, Train No. 16602, the Jogbani-Erode Amrit Bharat Weekly Express, departs Jogbani on Sundays at 3:15 PM, arriving back in Erode at 7:20 AM on Wednesdays.
The launch event at Erode Railway Junction saw the presence of Salem Railway Divisional Manager Panna Lal, alongside other esteemed senior officials, marking a proud moment for Indian Railways.