Arun Kumar Das/Patna

For Nimmi Kumari, July 18 is a special day because she got a special prize for writing an essay on "Commonman's rail" at Rajendra Nagar Station platform in Patna.

Like Nimmi, there were Faiza, Aniket, Swara and many other school students from the local schools who were at the platform in full strength to witness the launching of four Amrit Bharat trains.

While three trains are being launched from Bihar, the fourth one is from Malda in West Bengal.

The platform was fully decked up and there was a festive atmosphere at the Patna station with live performance by local artistes.  

On the "Commonman's rail" topic, Swara, a 7th class student bagged the first prize. All these students alongwith their teachers, Scouts and Guides rode the inaugural train ride.

The Amrit Bharat train from Patna to New Delhi was flagged off along with three others by Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually from Motihari in Bihar, ahead of the assembly elections in the state.

The railways plans to introduce 50 Amrit Bharat trains across the country in the next 2 years. Amrit Bharat trains will run to and across cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Surat, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and several cities of Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha and Chhattisgarh among others.

The routes were selected considering the movement of the workforce to their destinations. These routes were always in high demand for the passengers movement in the region.

Launch of the 22-coach non-AC Amrit Bharat Express from Patna as always three other places have its significance. There is a large number of workforce who regularly travel to Delhi from Bihar and for them these non-AC trains with unreserved coaches are being pressed into service to cater to the demand.

There were school students, NGO volunteers, and school teachers, rail enthusiasts and Kanwariyas, the pilgrims who carry holy water for Lord Shiva temples.

Amrit Bharat Train at Patna Railway station

The Railways had already made 72 Vande Bharat trains operational in 2019. These fully AC Vande Bharat trains with upgraded passenger amenities and catering facility are, however, branded as a service for elites with higher passenger fare. The government faced criticism for manufacturing Vande Bharat trains for the upper class while nothing much has been done for poor masses.

As a result, the Railways decided to manufacture Amrit Bharat trains for masses with similar passenger amenities like comfortable berths, mobile charger points for each seat, passenger information systems, LED light etc.

However, while Vande Bharat was fully AC service, Amrit Bharat is non-AC. The Amrit Bharat fare is also much less than the Vande Bharat service.

"Since the input cost in Vande Bharat is more, the fare has also been kept at a higher level. But we have kept the Amrit Bharat fare much lower than Vande Bharat," said a senior railway official.

School girls travelling in Amrit Bharat tain in Bihar

The Amrit Bharat services were launched for Patna - New Delhi, Motihari - New Delhi, Darbhanga - Lucknow, Malda Town - Lucknow sections.

Danapur DRM Jayant Kumar Chaudhary says "It is a matter of great pride for the region that after Namo Bharat we have the opportunity to serve the public through Amrit Bharat."

Namo Bharat service was launched last year for Delhi-Meerut route and more Namo Bharat services will be run in future connecting Metro cities with adjoining towns.

The 22-coach train with Push-Pull loco system is capable of running with 130 kmp maximum speed. The Push-Pull system envisaged a double engine with one from the front and the other at the rear to haul the train at a higher speed.

Loco Pilot S Yadav is excited as he will be driving the train in its inaugural run. "I am fortunate that the train that I have got the opportunity to be given the responsibility for today," Yadav said.

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The inauguration of these new trains aim to provide affordable modern, and comfortable travel.