Ayodhya Dham Railway Junction and Amrit Bharat Express

Source– This post is based on the article “PM inaugurates Ayodhya Dham Junction Railway Station” published in “PIB” on 30th December 2023.

Why in the News?

PM Narendra Modi has unveiled the revamped Ayodhya Railway Station, launched new Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains, and dedicated numerous other railway projects to the nation.

What are the different railway projects inaugurated by the PM?

1) Inaugurated Phase 1 of Ayodhya Dham Junction Railway Station with modern amenities such as elevators, escalators, food plazas etc. The station is ‘accessible for all’ and holds an ‘IGBC certified green station building‘ status.

Note- The IGBC Green Railway Stations rating system stands as the first comprehensive rating system in India, addressing environmental sustainability specifically in Indian railway stations.

2) PM flags off two new Amrit Bharat trains: Darbhanga-Ayodhya-Anand Vihar Terminal and Malda Town-Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminus (Bengaluru) Express.

3) PM launches six new Vande Bharat Trains, including routes such as Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-New Delhi, Amritsar-Delhi, Coimbatore-Bangalore Cantt, Mangalore-Madgaon, Jalna-Mumbai, and Ayodhya-Anand Vihar Terminal.

4) PM dedicates three railway projects worth Rs. 2300 crore for regional rail infrastructure strengthening. Projects involve Rooma Chakeri-Chanderi third line, sections of Jaunpur-Ayodhya-Barabanki doubling, and Malhaur-Daliganj doubling and electrification.

What is Amrit Bharat Express?

1) The Amrit Bharat Express, formerly known as Vande Sadharan, is a non-air-conditioned, cost-effective sleeper cum unreserved service express trains run by the Indian Railways.

2) They will connect cities over 800 km apart or requiring more than ten hours of travel with existing services.

3) Manufactured by: Integral Coach Factory at Chennai.

4) First service: 30 December 2023

5) Features:
a. This train runs on “push-pull” technology featuring locomotives at both ends for better acceleration.
b. The trains will operate at a maximum speed of 130 km/h.
c. Each train-set consists of 22 coaches.
d. It provides improved facilities for rail passengers like comfortable seats, better luggage rack, mobile charging point with suitable mobile holder, LED lights, CCTV, public information system, among others.

What are Vande Bharat Trains?

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