- Year
- 2023
- Period
- Modern Affordable Long-Distance Era
- Importance
- Amrit Bharat brings newer train design, improved passenger amenities and modern technology to non-AC sleeper and general-class passengers, extending modernisation beyond premium trains.
Indian Railways introduced the Amrit Bharat Express series in December 2023 as a new generation of affordable long-distance passenger trains.
Unlike premium fully air-conditioned services such as Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat was developed primarily for passengers using sleeper and general-class accommodation.
The trains are intended to combine affordability and high passenger capacity with improved comfort, safety and modern railway technology.
The first Amrit Bharat services were flagged off on 30 December 2023.
The concept represents an important stage in the evolution of Indian passenger trains because railway modernisation is increasingly being extended beyond premium passengers to the large number of travellers who depend on affordable long-distance services.
Amrit Bharat therefore complements Vande Bharat as part of the broader modernisation of Indian Railways' passenger fleet.