Pune, January 14, 2025: The ‘Vande Bharat Express’ trains in Pune have received a thumbs up from passengers, but the high ticket costs have left many unable to afford the luxurious travel experience. In response to this, the railway administration is working on introducing the ‘Amrit Bharat Express’ as a more budget-friendly option for common passengers. Trial runs are currently being conducted on routes connecting four northern cities to Pune.
As part of the ‘Amrit Bharat Yojana,’ expansion work is underway at Pune Railway Station and Hadapsar Railway Station. The proposed routes for the ‘Amrit Bharat Express’ include Pune to Danapur, Pune to Chhapra, Hadapsar to Muzaffarpur, and Hadapsar to Puri. Ram Paul Barpagga, Public Relations Officer for Pune Railway Division, stated that a detailed study is being carried out to finalize these routes due to the high number of passengers traveling from Pune to North India.
The ‘Amrit Bharat Express’ concept was first introduced in July 2023, with the train running between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. Similar to the ‘Vande Bharat Express,’ these trains are not air-conditioned and offer lower ticket prices, making them a popular choice for passengers looking for affordable and efficient travel options. Plans are now in place to extend the ‘Amrit Bharat Express’ to routes connecting Pune to northern destinations, aiming to make travel more accessible and cost-effective for passengers commuting to and from these regions.
The Pune Railway Division has kickstarted redevelopment work for 20 stations under the ‘Amrit Bharat Yojana,’ and the production of new coaches inspired by the design of the ‘Vande Bharat Express’ is nearing completion. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav mentioned during a recent visit to Pune that a significant portion of this work is in its final stages.
Currently, the ‘Vande Bharat Express’ operates on two routes from Pune to Hubli and Kolhapur, with ticket prices starting at Rs 1,160 for lower-class and Rs 2,005 for higher-class coaches for the Pune-Kolhapur journey. In comparison, the ‘Amrit Bharat Express’ is set to offer fares similar to standard sleeper-class charges, making it a more affordable option for a wider range of passengers. The redevelopment initiative for Pune’s railway stations includes upgrades to improve passenger amenities, while the new coaches for the ‘Amrit Bharat Express’ will be equipped with features inspired by the ‘Vande Bharat Express’ to ensure comfort and convenience for passengers.
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