Grand welcome accorded to Amrit Bharat Express as it rolls via Odisha

An Amrit Bharat Express train was run through Odisha, bringing cheers among people on Sunday. The train, which will have halts at eight places in Odisha, was given a grand welcome by MPs, MLAs and people at Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jaleswar, Khurda Road and Berhmapur amid the beating of drums, dance and music.

Notably, Malda Town-Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express train, one of the new versions of the country’s superfast trains, was virtually flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ayodhya on Saturday. It ran under the jurisdiction of the East Coast Railway (ECoR). Significantly, affordable tick pricing has brought cheers for passengers. 

As per reports, the train arrived at Jaleswar station on Sunday, Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi and hundreds of people warmly welcomed it while it was later greeted similarly at Bhadrak and Cuttack where Odissi dance was part of the welcome.

At Bhubaneswar station, the train was welcomed amid the showering of flowers in the presence of Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi and the leaders of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and other parties. At Berhampur, MP Chandrasekhar Sahoo and other leaders welcomed the train. 

Speaking to media, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Aarangi said, “The journey in this train is economical and all can afford its service. It has 22 coaches and can carry 1834 passengers at a time.”

Welcoming the train at Berhampur Railway station, MP Chandra Sekhar Sahu said, “The people of Berhmapur are happy as the train equipped with various facilities will provide travel to people at lower cost.” 

 According to reports, the Malda Town-Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express train will make its halts at 8 places in Odisha – at Jaleswar, Balasore, Soro, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Khurda Road and Berhmapur while making its journey from Bengaluru to Malda. It will start running regularly from January 7, 2024. 

“It is a non-AC train. Common people can travel a long distance in it at a much lower cost. It has a facility for sleeping. More new trains of this type will be run in the coming days,” said Manoj Sharma, General Manager of the East Coast Railways.  

The train, which is equipped with both non-AC and LHB coaches, will function as a push-and-pull train with its engine connected on both ends. The passengers will have a good experience of a comfortable journey because of the attractive, designed, and well-cushioned seats. Besides, the train has the facilities of good luggage storage, cell phone holders, mobile charging points, LED lights, CCTVs, and a public information dissemination system.