The Indian Railway Board has officially approved the launch of a new weekly Amrit Bharat Express service connecting the industrial hub of Dhanbad in Jharkhand to Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. This new long-distance train, bearing numbers 22363 and 22364, aims to provide an affordable and comfortable travel option for thousands of passengers, featuring a specialized rake design with non-air-conditioned sleeper and unreserved coaches. Key highlights of the new service include:
- Train numbers: 22363 (Dhanbad to Coimbatore) and 22364 (Coimbatore to Dhanbad).
- Route distance: Covering a vast stretch of 2,797 kilometers across five states.
- Total stops: The train will serve 39 major stations, including key transit points like Gomoh, Gaya, Prayagraj Chheoki, Nagpur, and Katpadi.
- Additional connectivity: Stops at Mancherial and Peddapalli have been added following local public demand.
Schedule and Operational Details
For passengers planning their journeys, the train is scheduled to operate on a weekly basis. Train 22363 will depart from Dhanbad every Saturday at 4:10 PM and is slated to reach Coimbatore on Monday at 6:30 PM. For the return journey, train 22364 will depart from Coimbatore every Tuesday at 7:50 AM, arriving back in Dhanbad on Thursday at 1:00 PM. The operational maintenance for this service will be primarily handled at the Dhanbad depot, with secondary support provided at the Coimbatore station.
Focus on Affordable Connectivity
This new service aligns with the Ministry of Railways’ broader initiative to enhance rail infrastructure and improve passenger accessibility across critical north-south corridors. By introducing the Amrit Bharat Express on this long-distance route, the Railways aims to cater to the working class and long-distance travelers who require reliable, cost-effective connectivity. The inclusion of 39 stops ensures that passengers from various intermediate regions, often underserved by premium train services, will gain better access to major cities in Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. As Indian Railways continues to expand its network, the Dhanbad-Coimbatore route marks another significant step in bridging regional gaps and facilitating smoother interstate travel.