CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu is set to get three new Amrit Bharat trains connecting West Bengal — Tiruchchirappalli and New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, Tambaram and Santragachi in West Bengal, and Nagercoil and New Jalpaiguri.
According to a Railway Board order, all three services will be weekly trains with 22 coaches each.
A senior official of the Southern Railway said the trains are likely to be flagged off within a week or two, with the possibility of the prime minister inaugurating the services.
As per the order issued on January 8, train 16107 Tambaram-Santragachi Amrit Bharat Express will depart from Tambaram at 3.30 pm on Fridays and arrive at Santragachi at 8.15 pm on Saturdays. The return train 16108 will depart from Santragachi at 11.55 pm on Saturdays and reach Tambaram at 10 am on Mondays, and will stop at Chennai Egmore and Sullurpeta near Tirupati.
Train 20604 Nagercoil-New Jalpaiguri Amrit Bharat Express will depart from Nagercoil at 11 pm on Sundays and arrive at New Jalpaiguri at 5 am on Wednesdays. The return train 20603 will leave New Jalpaiguri at 4.45 pm on Wednesdays and reach Nagercoil at 11 pm on Fridays and halt at Jolarpettai and Katpadi.
Train 20610 Tiruchchirappalli-New Jalpaiguri Amrit Bharat Express will depart Tiruchchirappalli at 5.45 am Wednesdays and reach New Jalpaiguri at 5 am on Fridays. The return train 20609 will depart New Jalpaiguri at 4.45 pm on Fridays and arrive at Tiruchchirappalli at 4.15 pm Sundays and stop at Chengalpattu Junction, Tambaram and Chennai Egmore.
At present, one Amrit Bharat Express train is operated from Tamil Nadu — to Jogbani in Bihar.
The Amrit Bharat Express is an affordable, long-distance, non-AC superfast train service designed for the common man.
The Amrit Bharat services were introduced with the objective of providing superfast train connectivity at affordable fares for long-distance travellers.