New Amrit Bharat train approved: it will connect four states, including Gujarat and Bihar

The Vande Bharat Jammu-Srinagar Express added a new chapter to the history of railways on October 2, by crossing the Chenab Railway Bridge for the first time at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour. During this test, the train also passed over the Anji Bridge at 100 km/h.

The Chenab Bridge is the world's highest arched railway bridge, and the Anji Bridge is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge. This marked the first instance in India where a train reached a speed of 100 km/h at such an altitude.

This achievement occurred when the railways increased the maximum permissible speed of trains on the Katra-Banihal section to 100 km/h. Because the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is running at 100 km/h, it paves the way for increasing the speed of train movement on this mountain route. Now, passenger journeys are expected to become faster and more comfortable than before.

The approximately 111-kilometer railway section of Katra-Banihal passes through mountains, including numerous tunnels and large bridges. Previously, the maximum permissible speed of trains on various parts of this route was 75 or 85 km/h. Railways have now set the maximum permissible speed to 100 km/h for the entire section. This change came into effect on October 2, after which the Vande Bharat speed test at 100 km/h was conducted.

The bridge where Vande Bharat achieved 100 km/h is not an ordinary structure. The Chenab Railway Bridge is built at an altitude of 359 meters above the bed of the Chenab River (1178 feet) and is the world's highest arched railway bridge. Its total length is about 1315 meters. This bridge is designed to accommodate complex mountainous terrain and adverse weather conditions.

The structure of the Chenab Bridge is rated for a service life of 120 years and can withstand strong winds of up to 260 km/h. Thus, the mere fact of achieving this speed on such a bridge is a major accomplishment for the railways.

During the same test, Vande Bharat crossed the Anji Bridge at 100 km/h. The Anji Bridge is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge. It is located over the deep valley of the Anji River and is an important part of the Katra-Banihal railway section. The bridge is situated approximately 331 meters (1086 feet) above the river valley and has a length of about 725 meters, supported by 96 high-strength cables.

Testing the train at 100 km/h on major bridges like the Chenab and Anji indicates that the railways are gradually moving towards increasing the speed of movement on this challenging mountain route. Passengers traveling on the Jammu-Kashmir route may benefit the most from these changes. The increased speed can make train travel on the Katra-Banihal section faster and reduce travel time.

The Jammu-Srinagar railway service initially started with an 8-car Vande Bharat. Due to growing passenger demand, the number of coaches was increased to 20 in April 2026. Currently, two Vande Bharat trains operate on this corridor. This service strengthens the direct rail link between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley via the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL).

When traveling from Bangalore to Goa, two main options are usually available: a flight for quick arrival or a bus/train for cost savings. However, the Vande Bharat train journey from Bangalore to Goa can offer a completely different experience, combining speed with the enjoyment of the road's beauty.

The railway company plans to extend the Mangaluru-Madgaon Vande Bharat express to Bangalore. This will provide a new premium option for rail travel between Goa and Bangalore. This route, which takes about 13 hours, passes through the greenery of the Western Ghats, mountain roads, and the picturesque landscapes of coastal Karnataka, making the journey itself part of the travel experience.

According to information provided by the Ministry of Railways, the existing Mangaluru Central-Madgaon Vande Bharat express will be extended to Yashwantpur Junction. Thus, the train will depart from Bangalore, pass through Mangaluru, and reach Madgaon in Goa. This was announced by Minister of Transport Ashwini Vaishnaw in a letter to MPs Brijesh Chauthe and Vishveshwar Hegde Kageri at the beginning of this month. Currently, this train runs between Mangaluru Central and Madgaon six days a week, excluding Thursday. The route between Mangaluru and Madgaon takes just under six hours.

The journey on the Vande Bharat between Yashwantpur station in Bangalore and Madgaon in Goa will take approximately 13 hours. The distance between Bangalore and Goa is about 700 kilometers, and the train has to traverse many hilly and winding sections. If maximum speed is the priority, flying remains the faster option. Meanwhile, overnight bus journeys can take between 12 to 14 hours. Vande Bharat becomes the ideal compromise, allowing the entire trip to be done during the day while enjoying the natural beauty of this route.

This route includes a mountain section of about 55 kilometers between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road. This area of the Western Ghats is considered one of the most beautiful stretches for rail travel. The train moves through hills, greenery, and valleys. Thanks to infrastructure modernization and electrification, operations on this section have improved, but due to the mountainous terrain, the train's speed does not match that on flat sections. This affects the overall travel time from Bangalore to Goa.

After departing from Yashwantpur, the train passes through Hassan, Sakleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, and the Mangaluru area, heading towards coastal Karnataka, and then arrives at Madgaon in Goa. During the journey, the landscape constantly changes: after leaving the urban areas of Bangalore, the amount of greenery increases, and the mountain sections of the Western Ghats begin, followed by coastal Karnataka, and finally Goa.

On the Vande Bharat, passengers are provided with seats in Chair Car and Executive Chair Car classes. In the executive class, the seats are swivel chairs with large windows, helping passengers enjoy the views during the journey. Vande Bharat is a self-propelled train; it does not have a separate engine, as each coach functions as an engine. This minimizes noise and shaking compared to traditional trains. This feature is especially valuable during a 13-hour daytime journey, as passengers can relax while enjoying the surrounding scenery.

Due to the length of the journey, meal and snack services are provided on the Vande Bharat express. Options for breakfast, lunch, and tea are available at different stages of the journey. The train is also equipped with bio-vacuum toilets. The cleanliness and comfort of the seats in Vande Bharat will provide passengers with a completely different experience compared to traditional trains during this 13-hour trip.

If the goal is to get from Bangalore to Goa in minimum time, Vande Bharat struggles to compete with flying. Flight time can be around an hour and a half, although time for travel to the airport, check-in, and security screening must be taken into account. A bus journey takes approximately 12 to 14 hours. Overnight bus trips can cause discomfort to some passengers due to the mountainous and winding roads. The advantage of Vande Bharat is that the entire journey takes place comfortably during the day, providing an opportunity to see the natural beauty of the Western Ghats and coastal Karnataka.

There are also differences in fare. According to available information, the ticket price in the Chair Car class on this route can range from 1,500 to 1,800 Indian Rupees, and in the Executive Class—from 2,800 to 3,200 Rupees. Air ticket prices can vary from 4,500 to 8,000 Rupees and above, depending on the date and time of booking.

For railway passengers, the ability to stop near their city or have daily service is not just a convenience; it fundamentally changes the travel experience. For a long time, passengers awaited the fulfillment of demand on certain routes or the need for stops at important stations. Now, thanks to the railway's decision, residents of many routes, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, will receive assistance.

Some long-standing requests have been met, and new travel options have opened up for many passengers. The Railway Board has approved three new railway services and nine new stops for trains. Additionally, approvals were given for changes related to the operation of some services. However, the effective date for these decisions has not yet been determined; the new trains and stops will only begin operations after the notification of the relevant railway zone is published.

Residents of Aligarh and its surroundings will gain additional convenience. The railway announced the launch of a new daily overnight train between Kanpur Central and Anand Vihar Terminal on September 24. Train number 14153/14154 will run between Kanpur and Delhi and will stop at a total of 8 stations, including Aligarh. According to the railway, the goal of this step is to increase passenger traffic between Kanpur and Delhi and provide an additional option for those traveling at night.

Train 14153 will depart from Kanpur Central at 20:40 and arrive at Anand Vihar Terminal the next day at 04:50. Thus, passengers can spend the night on the train and arrive in Delhi in the morning. The return train, 14154, will depart from Anand Vihar Terminal at 23:25 and arrive at Kanpur Central at 07:25. Both directions cover a distance of approximately 428 kilometers.

The train between Kanpur and Anand Vihar has eight stops: Fafund, Itawa, Tundla, Hatras, Aligarh, Hurja, Dadri, and Ghaziabad. For the residents of Aligarh, this means having another option for overnight travel towards Kanpur, Itawa, Tundla, and Delhi-NCR. Passengers from other cities along the route also benefit from this night service.

The Railway Board has approved the daily operation of the Pune-Bira Express 11433/11434 in Maharashtra. There was previously a need for daily service on this route. After receiving permission, passengers between Pune and Bira, as well as between Bira and Pune, will have a regular travel option. Train 11433 Pune-Bira Express will depart from Pune at 22:45 and arrive in Bira at 06:00. Conversely, train 11434 Bira-Pune Express will depart from Bira at 21:30 and arrive in Pune at 05:20. Stops along this train's route include Uruli, Daund Kord Line, Shrigonda Road, Ahilyanagar, Narayanadokh, New Asthi, and Amalner Bhandae.

The Railway Board has also approved daily service for MEMU Pratapnagar-Tanda Road in Gujarat. According to the Railway Board circular dated September 9, train 69105 Pratapnagar-Tanda Road MEMU will depart from Pratapnagar at 05:00 and arrive at Tanda Road the next day at 09:35. Simultaneously, 69106 Tanda Road-Pratapnagar MEMU will depart from Tanda Road at 17:05 and arrive at Pratapnagar at 21:25. Stations on this train's route include Dboi, Chuchchapura, Bodeli, Pavi, Chhota Udaipur, Padalia Road, Motisadli, Ambari Richavi (Madhya Pradesh), Alirajur (Madhya Pradesh), Khandala, Jobat, and Dekakund.

The Railway Board has also approved new stops for nine trains running on various routes. This will directly benefit passengers who previously had to use other modes of transport or nearby major stations to reach these locations.

The approved new stops include: Train 13257/13258 Danapur-Anand Vihar Terminal Jansadharjan Express will stop at Ma Bela Devi Dham Pratapgarh; Train 14661/14662 Badmer-Jammu Tawi Express will now stop at Sambhar Lake; Train 15013/15014 Jaisalmer-Katgodam Ranikhet Express will stop at Malakeda; Train 22901/22902 Bandra (T)-Udaipur Express has gained a stop at Kapasan; Train 17481/17482 Bilaspur-Tirupati Express will now stop at Norla Road; Train 12859/12860 Mumbai CSMT-Havada Gitanjali Express will stop at Ghatshila; Train 12129/12130 Pune-Havada Azad Hind Express will also stop at Ghatshila; Train 18189/18190 Tatangar-Ernakulam Express has gained a stop at Manoharpur; Train 14701/14702 Shriganganagar-Bandra (T) Amarpura Aravi Express will stop at Gogamedi.

It is important to understand that the Railway Board has only approved these services and stops so far. This does not mean that the new train or new stop has started operating immediately. Information regarding when the new daily service will commence, the date when new stops will be available, and when the other changes will come into effect will be contained in the notification of the respective railway zone. Therefore, if you are planning a trip on these routes, be sure to check the latest information released by the railway before booking tickets or planning your journey.