Amrit Bharat Express 3.0: 22-Coach AC and Non-AC Train on New Delhi–Patna Route

The news

Indian Railways rolled out its first Amrit Bharat Express 3.0 train on the New Delhi–Patna route, departing from New Delhi Railway Station at midnight on November 11 as a special service for Chhath Puja. The 22-coach trainset, developed by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, is the first in the series to include both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned coaches, offering passengers a wider choice of travel classes. Northern Railway said the train was designed keeping the needs of common and middle-class passengers in mind.

The trainset comprises six Third AC, two Second AC, one First AC, six Sleeper, four General, one Pantry, one Power Car and one Divyangjan-cum-Guard Brake Van. It uses push-pull technology, which officials said enables faster acceleration and provides a smoother, safer and more comfortable journey. The Ministry of Railways stated that all materials used in the coaches comply with HL3 fire safety standards. The Amrit Bharat service was launched in 2023 to provide affordable, quality travel for lower-income and lower-middle-income passengers, and the 3.0 version builds on experience from versions 1.0 and 2.0.

What is the Amrit Bharat Express scheme?

The Amrit Bharat Express is a category of superfast passenger trains introduced by Indian Railways to offer affordable long-distance travel, mainly for lower-income and lower-middle-class passengers. The first Amrit Bharat Express service was flagged off in December 2023, with the inaugural trains running on the Darbhanga–Ayodhya–Anand Vihar and Malda Town–Bengaluru routes. The trains are designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, which also builds other modern Indian Railways rolling stock. The Amrit Bharat series uses push-pull technology with locomotives at both ends, allowing faster acceleration and deceleration without the need for a separate locomotive reversal at terminals.

How is the Amrit Bharat 3.0 trainset different from earlier versions?

The Amrit Bharat 3.0 is the first in the series to include air-conditioned coaches alongside non-AC coaches. Earlier versions, 1.0 and 2.0, were entirely non-AC. The 3.0 trainset has 22 coaches, of which nine are air-conditioned: six Third AC, two Second AC and one First AC. The train also features new interior colour themes with coordinated shades for flooring, seat and berth rexine, snack tables, curtains and lavatory areas, according to the Ministry of Railways.

What safety and comfort features does the train offer?

The Ministry of Railways said all materials used in the coaches comply with HL3 fire safety standards, ensuring a high level of passenger safety. The train is equipped with push-pull technology, which supports faster acceleration and a smoother journey. Northern Railway said the train has comfortable seating, an improved suspension system, modern toilets and mobile charging points, all intended to enhance the travel experience for common and middle-class passengers.