Patna: Indian Railways has approved a new weekly Amrit Bharat Express service between New Jalpaiguri and Amritsar, a move expected to strengthen rail connectivity for passengers across the Mithila and Seemanchal regions of Bihar.
Railway officials said the service had received approval from the Railway Board, triggering celebrations in parts of North Bihar where residents have long demanded better direct rail links to Punjab and eastern India.
Weekly Service With Push-Pull Technology
According to railway authorities, the train will operate with modern coaches equipped with push-pull technology aimed at improving speed, safety and passenger comfort.
Under the approved schedule:
- Train No. 14664/14663 will run once every week
- the train will depart from Amritsar every Thursday at 12:45pm
- it will reach New Jalpaiguri on Saturday at 4:15am
- on the return journey, it will leave New Jalpaiguri every Saturday at 8am
- it will arrive in Amritsar early Monday at 2:20am
Major Bihar Stations Included
The train will pass through several important stations across Bihar, including:
- Jhanjharpur
- Nirmali
- Saraigarh
- Raghunathpur
- Forbesganj
- Araria
Additional stoppages will include:
- Ludhiana
- Ambala Cantonment
- Saharanpur
- Gorakhpur
- Narkatiaganj
- Raxaul
- Sitamarhi
- Sakri
Officials said the service would significantly improve travel options for labourers, traders and families travelling between Bihar and Punjab.
New Rail Sections To Improve Regional Connectivity
One of the notable aspects of the route is that the train will also run through:
- the Lalitgram Bypass
- the newly developed Araria–Galgalia rail section
Railway authorities believe this will further strengthen rail connectivity across North Bihar and the Seemanchal region.
Officials also said the train was expected to support trade, tourism and employment mobility between eastern India and Punjab.
Railways Calls It A Major Boost For North Bihar
The Amrit Bharat Express is among Indian Railways’ newer generation train services and includes upgraded seating arrangements, modern coaches and faster operational capability.
Saraswati Chandra said the date for the regular commencement of services would be announced soon.
Railway officials described the new train as a major connectivity boost for the Mithila and Seemanchal regions.
