NEW DELHI: Indian Railways ran its first Amrit Bharat Express 3.0 service, the first in the series with air-conditioned coaches, between New Delhi and Patna as a Chhath Puja special, the national transporter said.
The train left New Delhi Railway Station for Patna Junction at midnight on 11 November. It was built by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai and, unlike the earlier Amrit Bharat 1.0 and 2.0 rakes, mixes AC and non-AC accommodation.
The 22-coach formation has six Third AC coaches, two Second AC, one First AC, six Sleeper, four General, one pantry car, one power car and a Divyangjan-cum-Guard brake van.
Northern Railway said the train has push-pull technology for faster acceleration, an improved suspension system, modern toilets and mobile charging points, and was designed for ordinary and middle-class passengers. The service is meant to absorb the seasonal rush between Delhi and Bihar for Chhath Puja.
The Amrit Bharat series was launched in 2023 as an affordable, upgraded alternative to ordinary express trains.
(With inputs from media reports)