Indian Railways has introduced the first air-conditioned version of the Amrit Bharat Express, with the upgraded train making its debut as a special service between New Delhi and Patna during the Chhath Puja travel rush. The train departed from New Delhi Railway Station for Patna Junction on November 11, offering passengers a combination of air-conditioned, sleeper and general-class accommodation.
Manufactured by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory, the new-generation Amrit Bharat 3.0 expands the train’s passenger options while retaining its focus on affordable long-distance travel. Earlier versions of the service offered only sleeper and general-class accommodation.
The 22-coach train includes six Third AC coaches, two Second AC coaches and one First AC coach. It also has six sleeper-class coaches, four general-class coaches, a pantry car, a power car and a Divyangjan-cum-guard brake van. The configuration allows passengers to choose between different fare and comfort levels within the same service.
The upgraded train features improved seating arrangements, suspension systems, toilets and mobile charging points, according to the report. It also uses push-pull technology, with locomotives positioned at both ends of the train. The arrangement is intended to support more efficient acceleration and deceleration and provide a smoother ride on long-distance journeys.
The launch comes as railway stations in Delhi, Mumbai and other cities handle increased passenger movement ahead of Chhath Puja. Large numbers of passengers travel from employment centres to their hometowns in Bihar and neighbouring states during the festive period, placing additional pressure on railway stations, train services and passenger-management systems.
Railways has supplemented regular services with special trains and designated holding areas to manage the seasonal increase in demand. Central Railway chief public relations officer Swapnil Nila said during an inspection that Chhath-related crowds had decreased at major locations including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Nagpur and Pune.
Nila said special trains and passenger arrangements had helped ease congestion and enable smoother movement at stations. The Railways’ festive arrangements for Diwali and Chhath Puja are intended to accommodate additional traffic and reduce pressure at major terminals.
The Delhi-Patna service represents the first reported deployment of the air-conditioned Amrit Bharat version. The Railways has not provided in the supplied report with a regular timetable or broader route rollout details for the upgraded configuration. For now, the service has been introduced as a special train during the festive travel period.
