Amrit Bharat Express passengers may have to pay higher fares during the upcoming festive season as the Indian Railways introduces special pricing for certain services.
Railway passengers could see changes in Amrit Bharat Express fares during the festive period. The Indian Railways has decided that Amrit Bharat train services operated as Festival Special or Train on Demand services will follow the fare structure applicable to special Mail and Express trains.
The decision comes ahead of the festive season, when railway traffic typically increases significantly across the country.
According to a directive issued by Praveen Kumar, Director of Passenger Marketing Coordination at the Railway Board, all railway zones have been informed about the revised fare arrangement.
Amrit Bharat Express Special Train Fare Rules
Under the special Mail and Express fare structure, passengers travelling in Second Class are charged an additional 10 percent, while other classes carry a 30 percent surcharge.
The same fare system will apply when an Amrit Bharat train’s rake is used for a Train on Demand service or a Festival Special train.
This means passengers booking certain Amrit Bharat services during the festive season could pay more than the regular fare applicable to the train.
BRICS Summit Brings Changes to Rajdhani Train Services
Meanwhile, several major train services operating to and from New Delhi have been affected by arrangements for the 18th BRICS Summit being held in the national capital.
Railway operations have been modified between September 11 and September 13, with some trains cancelled, while others will be regulated or operate through alternative routes.
Several Rajdhani services connecting New Delhi with major cities are among the trains affected.
Rajdhani Express Trains Affected
Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express
The 12301 Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express scheduled for Saturday will face a 10-minute regulation between Ghaziabad and Sahibabad.
New Delhi-Howrah Rajdhani Express
Train 12302 New Delhi-Howrah Rajdhani Express will operate from New Delhi through Delhi, Delhi Shahdara and Sahibabad.
New Delhi-Sealdah Rajdhani Express
The 12314 New Delhi-Sealdah Rajdhani Express will also follow the route through Delhi, Delhi Shahdara and Sahibabad.
New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express
The 22824 New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express will leave New Delhi approximately 20 minutes later than its scheduled departure time.
Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Tejas Rajdhani Express
Train 20817 Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Tejas Rajdhani Express will be regulated by around 20 minutes between Ghaziabad and Sahibabad.
Passengers travelling on these routes during the affected period are advised to check their train’s latest running status before leaving for the station.
What Is Amrit Bharat Express?
The Amrit Bharat Express is a long-distance, budget-friendly train service introduced by Indian Railways with a focus on affordable travel for the general public.
Unlike premium trains that primarily feature air-conditioned coaches, Amrit Bharat services use non-AC sleeper and general coaches.
One of the train’s distinctive features is its dual-locomotive configuration, with locomotives positioned at both ends. This arrangement allows the train to operate without requiring the locomotive to be detached and repositioned at the destination.
An Amrit Bharat train can have 22 coaches and comes equipped with several passenger-focused facilities, including mobile charging points, bio-vacuum toilets, CCTV surveillance and fire-safety systems.
Affordable Fares Remain a Key Feature
Affordable pricing remains one of the major attractions of the Amrit Bharat Express. Regular fares are designed to make long-distance railway travel accessible to a wider section of passengers, without the dynamic pricing model commonly associated with some other transportation services.
However, passengers should remember that special Amrit Bharat services operated during the festive season may follow the special Mail and Express fare structure, resulting in additional charges.
The combination of affordable regular fares, modern facilities and long-distance connectivity has made Amrit Bharat Express an important addition to Indian Railways’ passenger network.