Pune: To address the high ticket costs of "Vande Bharat Express" trains and provide an affordable travel option for the general public, the Railway Administration is planning to introduce the "Amrit Bharat Express." This initiative aims to connect Pune with major destinations in North India.
The "Amrit Bharat Express," modeled after the "Vande Bharat Express," was first launched between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in July 2023. The train offers similar aesthetics but is non-air-conditioned and features lower ticket prices. The introduction of this train in Pune is expected to provide cost-effective and convenient travel for passengers.
Under the "Amrit Bharat Scheme," redevelopment work at 20 stations in the Pune Railway Division is progressing, alongside the manufacturing of coaches similar to those used in the "Vande Bharat Express." Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated during his recent visit to Pune that many of these projects are nearing completion.
Key Details:
Fares:
Current "Vande Bharat Express" ticket prices for the Pune-Kolhapur route are ₹1,160 for the standard coach and ₹2,005 for the executive coach.
"Amrit Bharat Express" fares will be aligned with sleeper class charges in other trains, making them significantly more affordable.
Proposed Routes:
Two trains from Pune Railway Station to Danapur and Chhapra.
Two trains from Hadapsar Railway Station to Muzaffarpur and Puri.
Infrastructure Developments:
Redevelopment of Pune and Hadapsar railway stations is underway.
Coaches for the "Amrit Bharat Express" are being developed to match the design of the "Vande Bharat Express."
With a large number of passengers traveling from Pune to North India, the introduction of the "Amrit Bharat Express" is expected to provide an affordable and convenient travel option. Discussions regarding the final routes are ongoing at the Railway Board and Ministry levels.
