Kolkata braces for a significant surge in passenger traffic as the South-Eastern and Eastern Railway divisions prepare for the launch of the new Amrit Bharat trains. Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated these long-distance services from Singur on Sunday, marking a major addition to India's rail network.
Three Key Routes to Connect Major Cities
An official from the South-Eastern Railway confirmed the operational details on Monday. The trains will run on three crucial routes, linking Kolkata with other important urban centers across the country.
The first service connects Santragachhi in Kolkata with Tambaram near Chennai. The second route runs between Howrah and Anand Vihar in Delhi. The third train operates from Sealdah to Varanasi. All services are scheduled to commence later this week.
Detailed Schedule for Commuters
The Santragachhi-Tambaram train initiates its journey from Tambaram every Friday at 3:30 PM. It arrives at Santragachhi by 8:15 PM the following day. The return trip departs from Santragachhi every Saturday at 11:55 PM, reaching Tambaram at 10:00 AM on Monday.
For the Howrah-Anand Vihar Amrit Bharat Express, departures from Howrah occur every Thursday at 11:10 PM. The train reaches Anand Vihar at 2:50 AM on Saturday. The return service leaves Anand Vihar every Saturday at 5:15 AM, arriving at Howrah by 10:50 PM on Sunday.
The Varanasi-Sealdah Amrit Bharat Express operates on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. It departs from Varanasi at 10:10 PM and reaches Sealdah at 9:55 AM the next day.
High-Profile Inauguration Event
The inauguration program at Santragachhi station featured several prominent railway officials. Ravneet Singh, the junior railways minister, attended the event. Satish Kumar, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, was also present. Anil Kumar Mishra, General Manager of the South-Eastern Railway, joined them to mark this significant launch.
Railway authorities expect these new services to alleviate travel pressures and provide enhanced connectivity. The introduction of the Amrit Bharat trains represents a strategic expansion aimed at meeting growing passenger demands across key corridors.
