Patna: In a bid to enhance passenger convenience, the East Central Railway has announced the regular operation of two new Amrit Bharat Express trains, equipped with modern facilities. Alongside this, Danapur Division has introduced a new initiative that will allow passengers to purchase daily-use items onboard trains.
Two New Amrit Bharat Express Trains
East Central Railway CPRO Saraswati Chandra said the first service, Chhaharta (Amritsar)-Saharsa Amrit Bharat Express (14628/14627), was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on Monday. The train will commence regular operations from September 20, running every Saturday from Chhaharta and every Monday from Saharsa starting September 22.
The train will connect Supaul, Nirmali, Jhanjharpur, Sakri, Sitamarhi, Raxaul, Narkatiaganj, Gorakhpur, and Moradabad en route to Amritsar. Facilities onboard include mobile charging ports, air spring suspension, Divyangjan-friendly toilets, fire detection systems, talk-back units, and modern lighting.
The second service, Erode-Jogbani Amrit Bharat Express (16601/16602), will begin regular operations on September 25. It will depart from Erode every Thursday and from Jogbani every Sunday. The inaugural special train was flagged off on September 15. The route covers Forbesganj, Purnia, Katihar, Barauni, Hajipur, Pataliputra, DDU, Prayagraj Chheoki, Jabalpur, Nagpur, Perambur, and Katpadi.
Officials said the Amrit Bharat Express, though a non-AC category service, will offer passengers a more comfortable and safer travel experience. The new trains are expected to boost connectivity between Northeast India, including Bihar, and major regions in North India, Punjab, and South India.
Onboard Sale of Essential Items from September 25
In another move to improve passenger services, Danapur Division will soon provide travelers with the option to purchase daily-use goods during their journey. Starting September 25, the system will be implemented in the Patna-Jhajha section, covering Bakhtiyarpur–Tilaiya, Fatuha–Islampur, and Mokama–Rajendra Pul routes.
Passengers will be able to buy items such as newspapers, mobile and laptop accessories, artificial jewellery, cosmetics, watches, toiletries, stationery, books, footwear, toys, showpieces, glasses, locks, and bags directly inside trains at prescribed rates.
This facility will be available in Jan Shatabdi, Superfast, Ordinary Passenger, and DEMU/MEMU trains. Senior DCM of Danapur Division, Abhinav Siddharth, said the contract agency for this service was selected through e-auction and has already deposited the license fee. Authorized vendors will soon begin supplying listed items onboard.
Railway officials said the initiative will save passengers from the hassle of buying essentials at stations and enhance overall travel satisfaction.
