New weekly Amritsar–Jalpaiguri train to run via ECR

Patna: The railways has introduced a new weekly Amritsar–New Jalpaiguri Amrit Bharat Express passing through the East Central Railway (ECR) zone. The service, earlier operated as a special train, has now been converted into a regular weekly train to meet the growing travel demand from Bihar and neighbouring regions, effective Saturday onwards.According to ECR chief public relations officer (CPRO) Saraswati Chandra, under the revised schedule, the train will depart from Amritsar every Thursday at 12.45pm and reach New Jalpaiguri on the third day (Saturday) at 4.15am. On the return journey, it will leave New Jalpaiguri every Saturday at 8am and arrive in Amritsar on the third day (Monday) at around 2.20am.The Amrit Bharat Express will run with a composition of 22 coaches and is expected to benefit a large number of passengers travelling between Punjab, Bihar and north Bengal. Within the ECR jurisdiction in Bihar, the train will halt at Narkatiaganj, Raxaul, Sitamarhi, Sakri, Jhanjharpur, Nirmali, Saraiganj, Forbesganj and Araria stations.Railway authorities said the regularisation of this service will enhance connectivity for migrant workers, students, traders and other passengers travelling between eastern and northern parts of the country.