Tambaram–Thiruvananthapuram Amrit Bharat Express Begins Regular Service
The Amrit Bharat Express service between Tambaram and Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) has received an enthusiastic response from passengers as its regular operations commenced this week. The train was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 23 at Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station.
As per the schedule, the weekly service departs Tambaram every Wednesday at 5:00 pm. The train reaches Madurai at 1:05 am, Virudhunagar at 1:43 am, Kovilpatti at 2:23 am, Tirunelveli at 3:45 am, Nagercoil Town at 5:35 am, and finally Thiruvananthapuram at 8:00 am on Thursday.
On the return journey, the Amrit Bharat Express leaves Thiruvananthapuram on Thursdays at 10:40 am and arrives at Nagercoil Town (11:44 am), Tirunelveli Junction (1:20 pm), Kovilpatti (2:28 pm), Virudhunagar (3:13 pm), Madurai (3:55 pm), Dindigul (4:55 pm), before reaching Tambaram at 11:45 pm.
The train consists of 22 coaches, including 8 Second Class Sleeper coaches, 11 General coaches, 2 coaches for persons with disabilities, and one pantry car. Fare details for second-class sleeper coaches include ₹420 (Tirunelveli–Tambaram), ₹370 (Virudhunagar–Tambaram), ₹340 (Madurai–Tambaram), and ₹300 (Dindigul–Tambaram). General class fares range from ₹170 to ₹240 depending on distance.
Though equipped with modern amenities similar to Vande Bharat trains, the Amrit Bharat Express does not include AC coaches, focusing instead on affordable travel for long-distance passengers. Due to its popularity, passengers from Tamil Nadu and Kerala have urged the Railways to increase the service frequency to daily operations, revise the Tambaram departure time from 5 pm to 7 pm, and reduce overall travel time by increasing train speed.
