On Wednesday, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Railway Minister, released a video showcasing the unique features of the upcoming Amrit Bharat Train. Scheduled for inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 30 in Ayodhya, the ‘Amrit Bharat Express’ is designated as the “sleeper edition of the high-speed Vande Bharat trains.”
Currently, the train comprises exclusively of second-class and sleeper-class compartments. The Railway Board, on Wednesday, issued a circular outlining the fare structure for Amrit Bharat trains. This circular includes a ‘Fare Table’ that specifies ticket prices based on distance for second-class and sleeper-class passengers, according to information from PTI.
अमृत काल की अमृत भारत ट्रेन! pic.twitter.com/yegGEydJU5
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) December 26, 2023
Unveiling the Amrit Bharat Train: Features, Fare Structure, and Pricing Comparisons
Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video earlier in the day, presenting the unique features of the Amrit Bharat Train, which is promoted as the sleeper version of the high-speed Vande Bharat trains.
To accommodate these changes, the Railway Board has requested the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) to update the software to incorporate details about Amrit Bharat trains and their corresponding fares.
Regarding ticket prices, the Railway Board specified that for journeys within a range of one to 50 kilometers on Amrit Bharat Express trains, the minimum fare is ₹35, excluding additional charges. This minimum fare is approximately 15 to 17 percent higher than other mail or express trains, according to a statement from a railway official quoted by PTI.
Comparing fares for second-class and sleeper accommodations on Amrit Bharat Express with currently operational mail or express trains, the minimum ticket cost for a journey of one to 50 kilometers in other trains is ₹30 (excluding reservation fees and other charges), indicating a fare difference of approximately 17 percent, highlighting the relatively higher pricing of Amrit Bharat Express.
Regulations, Features, and Innovations: Insights into Amrit Bharat Train’s Circular Guidance
The circular also clarified that concessional tickets and tickets obtained through free complimentary passes without reimbursement will not be valid for travel on these trains. The eligibility criteria for Privilege Passes, PTOs (Privilege Ticket Orders), and Duty Passes for railway employees will align with the norms applicable to mail/express trains. However, booking against passes provided to Members of Parliament, Rail Travel Coupons (TRCs) for MLAs/MLCs, and reservations for freedom fighters remain permissible as they are fully reimbursed, as mentioned in the circular.
The circular further highlighted unique features of the Amrit Bharat trains, utilizing Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches with a push-pull setup. These features include horizontal sliding windows, semi-permanent couplers linking coaches, wider gangways sealed against dust, aerosol-based fire suppression systems in toilets and electrical sections, emergency disaster management lights, fluorescent guide strips on the floor, bench-style design for certain coaches, and segregation of reserved and unreserved sections using sliding doors.
These trains are equipped with “Kavach,” an indigenous technology aiding locomotive pilots in preventing Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD) instances and handling operations during challenging weather conditions. The semi-permanent couplers play a vital role in ensuring efficient brake operations, contributing to a smooth travel experience without sudden jerks.
