Saharsa/Patna: In a historic development for the floodplain region of Bihar’s Kosi belt, the Indian Railways is preparing to launch the Amrit Bharat train service between Saharsa and New Delhi, providing a direct rail link from this remote area to the national capital for the first time since 1934.
The proposed inaugural run of the Saharsa–New Delhi Amrit Bharat train is expected to take place on April 24, though railway officials have also indicated April 29 as a possible alternative date. Preparations are currently underway across all departments at Saharsa Junction, including operations, maintenance, and coaching depot services.
The new service will cross the Kosi Mahasetu bridge—a critical infrastructure link in the region—and is seen as a transformative step for connectivity and development. The arrival of the train rake at Saharsa Junction at 8:20am on Saturday was met with visible excitement. Passengers and railway staff welcomed it with applause, marking a symbolic moment for the region. The rake departed for Supaul at 8:55am for further commissioning procedures.
Vinay Kumar Srivastava, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Samastipur Division, confirmed that the rake had been dispatched for commissioning and said full-scale operations would commence once key infrastructure, including the electrified overhead equipment (OHE) at the washing pit, is in place. Officials have assured that OHE work will be completed before the tentative launch date.
The Amrit Bharat train is expected to offer significantly faster travel times than the existing Saharsa–New Delhi Vaishali Superfast Express. The new service will be equipped with modern amenities and is expected to feature 11 general coaches, eight sleeper coaches, one pantry car, and two SLRs (Seating-cum-Luggage Rakes).
To ensure smooth operations, maintenance staff have been sent to Chennai for specialised training, and loco pilots are also undergoing phased training sessions. If sufficient rakes become available, the Amrit Bharat service may run daily. With one rake, however, it will initially operate as a weekly train.
