Patna: Indian Railways is planning to introduce four new Amrit Bharat trains from Bihar to Mumbai, Delhi, Surat and Punjab, a move expected to ease chronic overcrowding and long waiting lists on some of the country’s busiest routes.
Railway officials said an additional Amrit Bharat service would be launched on the Patna–Mumbai and Patna–Delhi corridors, where demand regularly outstrips capacity, particularly during festivals and holiday periods. The new trains are aimed primarily at passengers travelling in sleeper and general classes.
Routes connecting Patna with Mumbai are among the most heavily used by migrants and workers from Bihar. At present, five trains operate between Patna and Mumbai via the Danapur division, including the Patliputra–Lokmanya Tilak Express, yet seats are often unavailable for days. Officials believe the new service will significantly reduce waiting lists and provide relief to daily and seasonal travellers.
Further Amrit Bharat trains are also proposed from Muzaffarpur to Surat and from Samastipur to Punjab, routes widely used by labourers, traders and professionals. Passengers on these lines often face long delays in securing confirmed tickets or are forced to opt for more expensive travel options.
According to railway officials, services on the Patna–Mumbai route could begin by April 2026, subject to approval by the Railway Board. Proposals have been submitted by several zones, including East Central Railway, with final decisions on rake allocation to be taken at board level after assessing passenger demand. Preliminary discussions on scheduling have already taken place in the Danapur and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya divisions.
The expansion forms part of a broader push by Indian Railways to scale up its modern train fleet. Construction of around 100 Amrit Bharat rakes is being fast-tracked, alongside approximately 200 Vande Bharat Express and 50 Namo Bharat trains. New services across states are expected to be launched once these rakes become available.
Railway Board officials said proposals for new Amrit Bharat, Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat services had been received from several Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar. Surveys are under way across five railway divisions, including Danapur, to identify routes where existing services are unable to meet passenger demand.
Amrit Bharat trains are positioned as a more affordable option for middle- and lower-income passengers, offering improved facilities without higher fares. Officials said the additional services would help reduce travel costs for passengers from Bihar while increasing the likelihood of securing confirmed tickets on long-distance routes.
