Indian Railways has been also known as the lifeline of the country. It accommodates more than 2.3 crore passengers a day and it is neither just a transport system but a socio-economic support system. The Amrit Bharat Express has become a game-changer in this large ecosystem – a low-cost, modern and inclusive venture that is changing the way Indians travel. Although it addresses the hopes of the whole country, its transformational effects are especially notable in Bihar, a government where the destinies of its inhabitants were always largely dependent on the connection via rail.
Amrit Bharat is the real people train unlike premium trains which just serve a small number of people. The trains are non-AC superfast trains and are designed to be offered at a price close to that of traditional mail and express trains, but offering the comfort of the modern day. A sleeper ticket of Patna-Delhi Amrit Bharat only runs around 560, which is not very expensive compared to normal trains but the ride is jerk free, seats are better, bio-vacuum toilets, LED lighting and even mobile charging point. They have such features as fire detection systems, semi-automatic couplers and onboard condition monitoring without sacrificing on the affordable aspect.
Amrit Bharat trains are growing rapidly at a nation level. There are already over a dozen routes in operation, and the Railways are already planning to introduce as many as 200 of such trainsets within the next few years. They are all manufactured in India as part of the Make in India program, and are not only a breakthrough in passenger service, but also an industrial one. Individual rakes of the trains cost approximately 65 crore to manufacture, wherein the train manufactures employment in the factories, supply chains, and maintenance facilities as well as enhancing India self-reliance in terms of railway technology.
In no other state is the social and economic effect more evident than in Bihar. Amrit Bharat services have opened the first 14 services and 10 of them directly relate to Bihar- a key point which brings out the centrality of the state in this new connectivity era. Darbhanga, Patna, Saharsa, Motihari, and Sitamarhi as well as Gaya now have direct services to Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Amritsar and even Bengaluru. The new 3,129-km Jogbani– Erode Amrit Bharat Express also connects the north-eastern extremity of Bihar with the south, Tamil Nadu, in one weekly service, binding two ends of the country together. To students, employees and families, this translates to less time of travelling, easier commuting, and a sure bridge to the opportunities in metropolitan India.
The fiscal spillovers are high. Rural supply chains are reinforced by small traders and farmers sending their goods to big city markets within a short time because these trains were equipped with parcel vans. Better connectivity contributes to local business in and around the stations, such as rickshaw pullers and tea sellers, hotels and handicraft traders. These advantages are further enhanced by the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme by the government which is modernizing over 1300 stations (98 in Bihar) to provide modern marketplaces where artisans could market their goods directly to travelers (Madhubani paintings or the local sweets).
Tourism, too, is set for a boost. Bihar has been plagued by inaccessibility due to its heritage treasures such as Bodh Gaya, Nalanda and Patna Sahib among others. It is now much easier to visit the state with direct cheap trains to Gaya, Sitamarhi, and Patna allowing pilgrims and other international visitors to explore the state. On the contrary, Bihars will have an easier time traveling to such tourist destinations as the Golden Temple in Amritsar or Haridwar in Uttarakhand, which contributes to the further culture exchange and inter-state tourism.
Finally, Amrit Bharat is not merely a steel on wheels, but indicative of the inclusive development. It is changing the way millions of people move by bringing modern technology and cost-effectiveness together and is driving the expansion of industries, tourism, and livelihoods. It is a move towards the future-ready railways to India; it is a new chapter where the connectivity will be the driving force of aspiration, opportunity, and pride to Bihar.
