Narendra Modi on 11 March flagged off two Amrit Bharat Express trains, two new Express services, and a passenger train from Tiruchirappalli, while also launching an additional passenger service from Ernakulam.

The new services will benefit passengers across multiple states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Jharkhand.

During the event, the Prime Minister also inaugurated three redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and dedicated the electrification of the Shoranur–Nilambur railway line to the nation.

Podanur–Dhanbad Amrit Bharat Express: Connecting South India with the Eastern Industrial Belt

A key highlight of the launch is the Podanur–Dhanbad Amrit Bharat Express, which establishes the first direct rail connection between Coimbatore’s industrial belt and eastern India’s coal and steel hub.

Podanur Junction, located on the southern edge of Coimbatore, will serve as the originating station, with Coimbatore Junction as the first commercial halt.

The train will run weekly, departing Podanur on Saturdays and arriving at Dhanbad on Monday morning. The return service will depart Dhanbad on Mondays.

Key stops include

• Salem

• Renigunta

• Vijayawada

• Jharsuguda

• Ranchi

The new service eliminates the need for passengers to change trains at major hubs like Chennai or Vijayawada, significantly reducing travel time for long-distance commuters.

Designed for Migrant Workers and Long-Distance Travellers

The Amrit Bharat Express has been designed as an affordable long-distance service catering primarily to migrant workers and economically active travellers.

The train features:

• Sleeper and general class coaches

• Affordable non-AC travel

• Divyangjan-accessible coaches

• Modern interiors and improved ride quality

• Push-pull locomotive configuration enabling speeds up to 130 km/h

Coimbatore and nearby Tiruppur host one of the largest migrant labour populations in southern India, with workers coming from eastern states such as Jharkhand, Odisha and Bihar. The new service provides a direct and economical route for these workers to travel home.

Nagercoil–Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express: Linking India’s Southern Coast to Telangana

Another major addition is the Nagercoil–Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, connecting India’s southernmost coastal region with the Deccan.

The service links Nagercoil near Kanyakumari with Charlapalli, providing a direct train route to the Hyderabad metropolitan region.

The train will serve over 20 districts across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, benefiting:

• students travelling to universities in Hyderabad

• migrant workers

• business travellers and families

For the coastal districts of southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala, this marks the first continuous affordable rail connection to the Telangana capital region.

New Express Trains Connecting the Southern Coast

Two additional long-distance express services have also been launched:

Rameswaram–Mangaluru Express

Connecting the pilgrimage city of
Rameswaram with
Mangaluru.

The route benefits pilgrims travelling to the
Ramanathaswamy Temple
and passengers along the western coastal corridor.

Tirunelveli–Mangaluru Express

The new service links
Tirunelveli with Mangaluru, offering improved connectivity across Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.

Residents of Coimbatore district will now have additional direct rail options to the Karnataka coast without changing trains.

New Passenger Services for Regional Connectivity

Two passenger services have also been introduced to strengthen regional travel:

Mayiladuthurai–Thiruvarur–Karaikkudi Passenger

This train serves the agriculturally important Cauvery Delta region, benefiting districts such as:

• Mayiladuthurai

• Thiruvarur

• Thanjavur

• Pudukkottai

• Sivaganga

Palakkad–Pollachi Passenger

The service connects
Palakkad with
Pollachi, benefiting students, traders, and daily commuters across the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border.

Infrastructure Upgrades in Kerala

As part of the event, three railway stations in Kerala were inaugurated under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme:

• Shoranur Junction

• Kuttippuram

• Changanassery

The stations have been redeveloped at a combined cost of approximately ₹52 crore, featuring:

• modern platforms

• lifts and escalators

• improved passenger amenities

• free Wi-Fi

• architecture reflecting local culture

Shoranur–Nilambur Electrification Dedicated to the Nation

The 65-km Shoranur–Nilambur railway line in Malappuram district has also been electrified at a cost of ₹90 crore.

The electrification will:

• eliminate diesel traction

• reduce travel time

• lower emissions

• enable additional passenger and freight services

Expanding the Amrit Bharat Express Network

The Amrit Bharat Express, manufactured at the
Integral Coach Factory in Chennai under the Make in India initiative, is designed as an affordable long-distance train with modern passenger amenities.

With the introduction of the new services:

• 54 Amrit Bharat Express trains were already operational

• the total number will now rise to 58 services

The trains are part of Indian Railways’ broader strategy to deliver affordable, high-quality travel for long-distance passengers across the country.