Bengaluru-West Bengal rail boost: Amrit Bharat Express to Alipurduar, two more weekly trains announced

As India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper service is set to roll out, Bengaluru gets three new long-distance train services to West Bengal, including a cost-effective Amrit Bharat Express.

Indian Railways has announced a major connectivity boost for Bengaluru, with three new long-distance train services to West Bengal, including an Amrit Bharat Express to Alipurduar. The development comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to flag off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Howrah and Guwahati later this month.

The newly announced Amrit Bharat Express will be the second such train connecting Bengaluru to West Bengal, after the Bengaluru-Malda Amrit Bharat Express that was allocated in 2023, when the category of trains was first introduced.

Designed as a budget-friendly and comfortable alternative to the Vande Bharat, the Amrit Bharat Express focuses on long-distance travel at lower costs. According to the timetable released by the Railway Board on Thursday, the weekly train will originate from Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT), Bengaluru, every Saturday and reach Alipurduar on Monday. The return journey will begin from Alipurduar on Monday and arrive in Bengaluru on Thursday.

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In addition to this, two more weekly trains from SMVT Bengaluru to Balurghat and Radhikapur in West Bengal have been notified. These services were initially planned to be operated with Amrit Bharat coaches, but were later changed to conventional express trains, as per the revised plan.

Amrit Bharat trains are hauled by specially designed WAP-5 locomotives and can operate at a maximum speed of 130 kmph, similar to superfast trains. Each train consists of 22 non-AC coaches, with a higher number of unreserved coaches along with reserved sleeper compartments, making them suitable for mass long-distance travel.

The coaches are equipped with CCTV cameras, fire-resistant seats, mobile charging points, water bottle holders, and pantry car facilities. On a single route, an Amrit Bharat Express can carry over 1,800 passengers, significantly easing travel demand.

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While commuters have welcomed the addition of three new services to West Bengal, many have also pointed out that rail connectivity from Bengaluru to other states should be strengthened further to meet growing travel needs.