PM Modi Flags Off New Amrit Bharat Express Trains Linking Banaras, Ayodhya With Pune And Mumbai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flagged off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains, marking a fresh expansion of the Railways' long-distance network with new direct links between Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The launch includes the Banaras-Hadapsar (Pune) Amrit Bharat Express and the Ayodhya-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (Mumbai) Amrit Bharat Express, with the Ministry of Railways simultaneously highlighting that the Banaras inauguration special was ready to begin its journey.

In a post on X, the Ministry of Railways said, "The Banaras-Pune (Hadapsar) Inauguration Special #AmritBharatExpress train is ready to depart from Banaras station." The post came as PM Modi flagged off weekly operations of the two new trains, which the government says will improve connectivity for pilgrims, migrant workers and regular passengers travelling between key cities in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

PM Modi launches two new Amrit Bharat Express services

The flag-off of the two new trains is being seen as a significant addition to the Amrit Bharat Express network, which the Railway Ministry has pitched as a more comfortable and modern train option for the common man.

In its official note, the Ministry said, "The Banaras-Hadapsar (Pune) service will facilitate easier access to Kashi Vishwanath Dham, while the Ayodhya-Mumbai service will improve connectivity to the Shri Ram Mandir Teerth Kshetra, strengthening links between key religious destinations."

The Ministry further added, "The trains are expected to particularly benefit daily passengers, migrant workers, and pilgrims travelling between Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, providing direct connectivity and eliminating the need to change trains."

The simultaneous launch of the two routes reflects the government's attempt to strengthen both pilgrimage and migration corridors, while offering direct rail options on routes that currently require longer or less convenient journeys.

Banaras-Pune Amrit Bharat Express takes off with 30-hour inaugural journey

Among the two services, the Banaras-Hadapsar (Pune) Amrit Bharat Express drew particular attention after the Ministry of Railways publicly announced that the inauguration special was ready to depart from Banaras station just as PM Modi flagged off the train.

The Banaras-originating train will connect several major stations across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra before reaching Hadapsar in Pune, a rapidly expanding suburban and employment hub.

According to the Ministry, "The inaugural run of Banaras-Hadapsar (Pune) Amrit Bharat Express will start from Banaras in the evening and will terminate at Hadapsar (Pune) late at night on the following day, completing the journey in approximately 30 hours."

It added, "The train will make 18 stops, including Gyanpur Road, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Govindpuri, Orai, Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi, Bina, Rani Kamlapati, Narmadapuram, Itarsi, Harda, Khandwa, Bhusaval, Jalgaon, Manmad, Kopargaon, Ahilyanagar, Daund, and Hadapsar."

The route is expected to serve a broad mix of passengers, from pilgrims heading towards Kashi Vishwanath to workers and families travelling between eastern Uttar Pradesh and western Maharashtra.

Ayodhya-Mumbai service adds another direct link for migrant workers and pilgrims

Alongside the Banaras-Pune train, PM Modi also flagged off the Ayodhya-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Amrit Bharat Express, creating another direct rail option between a major religious centre and Mumbai, one of India's biggest migration destinations.

The Railway Ministry said the new train goes beyond connectivity alone, describing it as a long-awaited direct and affordable service for North Indian travellers who frequently move between Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai.

The Ministry said, "The inaugural run of Ayodhya-Mumbai (Lokmanya Tilak Terminus) Amrit Bharat Express will start from Ayodhya Cantt in the evening and will terminate at Mumbai LTT late in the evening on the following day, completing the journey in approximately 28 hours."

It added, "The train will make 12 stops, including Ayodhya Cantt, Sultanpur, M B D Pratapgarh, Prayagraj Jn, Manikpur Jn, Satna, Jabalpur, Itarsi Jn, Bhusaval Jn, Jalgaon Jn, Nasik Road, Kalyan Jn, Thane, and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus."

Officials said the regular weekly schedules for both trains will be announced shortly after the inaugural operations.

Amrit Bharat services rise to 64 as Railways defends higher fares

With PM Modi flagging off the two new trains, the total number of operational Amrit Bharat Express services will increase from 60 to 64. At present, 30 Amrit Bharat trains are running 60 services, including one daily pair between Rajendranagar (Patna) and New Delhi. The remaining trains operate on weekly, bi-weekly or tri-weekly schedules.

The Railway Ministry has said the Amrit Bharat category is designed to offer a balance of affordability and improved travel standards. However, the fares remain higher than those of conventional Mail and Express services.

Fares of the Amrit Bharat trains are approximately 15 to 17 per cent higher than those of regular Mail and Express trains.

Railways has justified the higher fares by citing a range of added features, including higher speed, improved safety standards, better aesthetics of seats and berths similar to Vande Bharat Sleeper coaches, jerk-free travel, CCTV in all coaches, improved toilet designs and better ladder access for berths.

With PM Modi now formally flagging off both trains and the Ministry of Railways underscoring that the Banaras-Pune inauguration special was ready for departure, the rollout signals another push in the Centre's broader effort to expand direct, upgraded train connectivity across key religious and labour movement routes.