Jharsuguda: In a significant boost to railway connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off the Amrit Bharat Express, connecting Berhampur in Odisha with Udhna in Gujarat’s Surat district.
Modi flagged off the new train through virtual mode from a function held at Jharsuguda during his visit to the western Odisha town.
The train aims to provide affordable and comfortable connectivity across states, promote tourism, generate employment, and strengthen links between key economic regions.
The weekly Amrit Bharat Express, designated Train Nos. 19021/19022, will operate from Udhna to Berhampur every Sunday starting October 5, and from Berhampur to Udhna every Monday starting October 6.
The train covers a distance of 1,708 kilometres, linking key cities and districts across five states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
The train will stop at major junctions including Palasa, Vizianagaram, Rayagada, Titlagarh, Raipur, Nagpur, Bhusaval, and Nandurbar.
Additional commercial halts include Srikakulam Road, Bobbili, Parvatipuram, Muniguda, Kesinga, Kantabanji, Khariar Road, Mahasamund, Lakholi, Durg, Gondia, Wardha, Badnera, Akola, Malkapur, Jalgaon, Dharangaon, Amalner, Sindkheda, Dondaicha, Navapur, Vyara, and Bardoli.
Passengers from districts in Odisha such as Ganjam, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Balangir, and Nuapada, along with travellers from Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, are expected to benefit from improved connectivity.
The Amrit Bharat Express features 22 modern LHB coaches, including 11 General Second Class sitting coaches, eight Sleeper Class coaches, two Second Class-cum-luggage vans, and one pantry car.
Designed for enhanced passenger comfort and safety, the train incorporates energy-efficient technology, better seating arrangements, and modern onboard amenities.
PM Modi also inaugurated key railway projects to boost regional connectivity. These include the foundation stone for a 5 km rail flyover at Sambalpur-Sarla, constructed at a cost of Rs 273 crore, and the dedication of the doubling of the 34-km Koraput-Baiguda rail line and the 82-km Manabar-Koraput-Gorapur section, constructed at a total cost of Rs 1,400 crore.