PM Modi Launches 5 New Amrit Bharat Trains In Bihar, Highest Among States
With this, the poll-bound state has the highest number of such trains originating from stations there.
Prior to these inaugurations on Friday, Bihar had two Amrit Bharat trains -- one between Darbhanga and the Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi that was inaugurated in 2023, and the other running from Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Saharsa that was launched on April 24, 2025.
Now, the number has gone up to five, officials said.
They added that these four newly launched trains are upgraded versions of the earlier ones that would ensure increased passenger amenities such as enhanced comfort and superior safety technology.
"The Rajendra Nagar (near Patna) - New Delhi Amrit Bharat will cover a distance of about 1,000 km in about 17-and-a-half hours and cost Rs 560 for the entire journey in a sleeper class category. Its regular service starts from July 31. The second one, between Bapudham Motihari in Bihar and Anand Vihar (New Delhi), will also cover 1000 km with a fare slab of Rs 555 for the entire journey for sleeper class. Its regular service has not been announced yet and will be done separately," a railway official said.
He added, "The third train between Darbhanga in Bihar and Gomti Nagar in Uttar Pradesh will cost Rs 415 for the entire journey for the non-AC sleeper class, and its normal service will start from July 26."
The fourth Amrit Bharat train was inaugurated from Bhagalpur in Bihar. But it will run weekly between Malda Town in West Bengal and Gomti Nagar from July 24. However, according to the Railways, Bihar will make the most of this Amrit Bharat train as almost the entire route is through this state only.
Dilip Kumar, the executive director of information and publicity, Railway Board, said these high-tech trains are designed to run at a maximum speed of 130 km per hour and provide a smart, safe and comfortable travel experience for the middle class and economically weaker sections.
"Before the inauguration of these four trains, a total of three Amrit Bharat trains were operating in the country. The Railway Ministry is working on manufacturing 100 more Amrit Bharat rakes for the benefit of the middle class and economically weaker sections," Kumar said.
Highlighting passenger convenience features in these trains, he said these compartments have foldable snack tables, mobile holders, foldable bottle holders, fast mobile charging ports, comfortable seats, and radium illuminated flooring strips to show the way even in the dark.
"Air spring body for shock-free travel experience, modern and divyaangjan-friendly toilets with electropneumatic flushing system and automatic soap dispenser are some added features which are never seen before in non-AC trains designed for this class of travellers," Kumar added.
Railway officials also highlighted some of its safety and emergency features, such as semi-automatic coupler with crash tube, EP-assisted brake system, sealed gangway and vacuum evacuation system, talk back unit in every coach and fire detection system for the first time in non-AC coaches.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
11 minutes ago
- Economic Times
50% tariffs: Here's how India can flip the script on Trump's trade offensive
Synopsis India is preparing to counter the impact of Trump's 50% tariff through alternative markets and dedicated fund support, as key sectors such as textiles, gems & jewellery, and shrimp brace for the impact. With the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement at a standstill despite several rounds of negotiations, industry leaders and experts are exploring ways to contain the tariff impact. As US President Donald Trump hit India on Wednesday with an additional 25% tariff for purchasing Russian oil, raising the total tariff to 50%, Indian businesses and exporters are bracing for the economic repercussions. In response, experts and industry leaders are actively discussing measures to mitigate the impact of these tariff US is a major trading partner of India. In FY25, India exported products valued at $86.51 billion to the US across various categories, including shrimp, textiles, and gems and jewellery. With the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement at a standstill despite several rounds of negotiations, industry leaders and experts are exploring ways to contain the tariff Indian government is reportedly preparing a Rs 20,000 crore export promotion mission aimed at protecting exporters from global trade uncertainties. This mission is being jointly implemented by the ministries of commerce and industry, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), and finance. It is expected to be finalised by August and come into effect by mission, according to sources, will have five components—trade finance, non-trade finance dealing with regulation, standards and market access, better brand recall for Brand India, e-commerce hubs and warehousing, and trade facilitation. Ajay Sahai, DG & CEO of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), explained that when the mission was announced in the Union Budget this year, it aimed to increase access to export credit. From that perspective, there may be some softening of collateral on one hand; there may also be an element of the Interest Equalisation Scheme. 'We have also requested that the Interest Equalisation Scheme for MSME manufacturers be extended to all countries, with a specific emphasis on ensuring that all exporters receive this support for exports to the US, as it will enhance their competitiveness,' he said. He noted that there is a temporary problem, assuming that by September-October this year, India and the US are able to work out the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). However, he pointed out that any losses faced by Indian exporters will be for a limited duration. 'The good thing is that in that scenario, both buyers and sellers want to maintain the equation, and both sides want to look at absorbing the cost. They can look at increasing productivity.'However, 'they have been forced to be innovative' due to Trump tariffs, so there is always a silver lining in all these things as well,' he said. 'Even if the replacement of the US market happens, it will take time. If we are not through with the BTA, we must be prepared for some setbacks in exports. That is undeniable,' he Taneja, Professor, ICRIER, asserted that allocating a dedicated fund to support and shield exporters from the disruptions caused by US tariffs is a commendable and timely initiative. 'This is much in line with what countries like Australia, Spain, and South Korea are doing. The Australian government announced a $1-billion zero‑interest loan package to support businesses facing market disruptions. Spain has combined direct aid and soft loans in its proposed relief package. Similarly, the South Korean EXIM Bank manages the Supply Chain Resilience Fund (SCRF), allowing exporters to respond swiftly to trade wars and geopolitical conflicts,' she a similar view, Shravan Shetty, Managing Director, Primus Partners, said that the fund can prove beneficial, especially for vulnerable segments like textiles, gems & jewellery, and auto ancillaries, wherein production-linked schemes can help provide relief. 'The funds can also be deployed for strategic trade promotion activities and brand-building in alternate markets, such as Africa, the UK, the European Union, and Central Asia,' he Sen, Trade Policy Leader at EY India, emphasised the importance of understanding what percentage of this fund percolates down to the actual exporters who need it. This is important, given the undefined nature of the new Trump tariff regime, he said. 'The arbitrage possible between exports of the same product from different countries; the lack of finality in the rates; the definitional issues, such as what would be considered as 'transhipping', etc., make a structured support scheme difficult to formulate. In case we see a significant downturn in US demand, the amounts from the fund would be needed to explore newer markets,' he also noted the necessity of placing greater emphasis on countries with which we have recently signed FTAs, as they remain underutilised. 'We have one with the UK that will be operationalised; now is the time to start focusing on the UK market and the EU, where an early harvest is expected in the coming months.''So, I think the strategy should be focusing on diversification because with the kind of tariff that has been imposed by the US and the threat issued every day, we cannot rely on the US. Even if BTA happens and an additional tariff in the form of India's relations with Russia is imposed, we can be subjected to any kind of tariff. So, this is the time we should look at diversification in the medium to long term. And we should exploit opportunities with FTAs,' he mentioned that the fund relief and the development of alternative markets will only help in the short to medium term. India must build structural competitiveness and export reliance frameworks in the long term, he said. 'The answer lies in building an export ecosystem that can withstand geopolitical shocks, price wars, and shifting consumer preferences.'He proposed that the government should provide MSMEs and exporters with digital platforms and single windows to facilitate export credit, insurance, and risk cover, while noting that many smaller firms lack awareness or access to EXIM Bank schemes, ECGC support, or interest equalisation benefits. 'Digitising access and simplifying application processes can significantly boost participation,' he other measures, officials have indicated that lowering testing charges for smaller exporters, levied by the Export Inspection Council, can ease exporters' concerns. Additionally, measures like providing customs relief, accelerating GST for exports and increasing RoDTEP can also mitigate tariff impacts, as per industry RoDTEP and RoSCTL schemes, as per Sen of EY India, should be expanded to cover all exports between them. He said that increasing the RoDTEP/RoSCTL rates to directly refund a wider range of embedded taxes and duties not covered by other schemes would reduce overall production costs for exporters, enhance the price competitiveness of their products in the international market and partially alleviate the tariff Kumar Gulati, Chairman at the Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association (CLFMA) of India, said that lowering the charges and simplifying the process for mandatory testing and certification (especially for food, agriculture, pharma, and chemicals) significantly reduces compliance costs. 'It's particularly vital for smaller exporters and for sectors with low margins, directly supporting their ability to remain price-competitive internationally,' he said. Sector-specific Looking at the sectors, textiles could be one of the worst hit with $4 billion of business, such as t-shirts and home textiles bearing the brunt, especially due to lower tariffs imposed on India's rivals—Bangladesh and Vietnam at 20%. At 50%, US tariffs on India are now the highest Thakur, Secretary General of the Apparel Export Promotion Council, commended the 'expected' export promotion mission and suggested an increase in the mission budget, which is currently set at Rs 20,000 crore. He also recommended including specific measures for the textile sector in the mission, considering that the sector is the second-largest employer after agriculture in the country.'We need incentives to offset India's cost disadvantage vis-à-vis competing countries,' he said, adding that 'reviving the Interest Equalisation Scheme for five years at an enhanced rate of 5% for all exporters, without any value cap, is crucial.' He emphasised the need for continuity of schemes such as RoSCTL, a moratorium on loan repayments, expedited India-EU trade negotiations, and the quick disbursal of outstanding dues and claims from shrimp exports, totalling nearly $7 billion, to the US could suffer significantly. Even before the new tariffs, Indian seafood exporters were facing stiff price competition and falling prices thanks to increased supply from Ecuador (which faces only a 10-14% tariff).'Shrimp prices dipped by 20-25% in the last year. The oversupply continues to depress global prices, which further erodes profits and export earnings for Indian producers. It's estimated that Indian exporters are already facing losses of Rs 600 crore due to order cancellations and containers stuck in transit as these tariffs take effect. Margins in the industry are a slim 4-5%, making it impossible to absorb such steep tariff hikes, and exporters fear a significant long-term loss of market share, with Ecuador likely to replace India as the top shrimp supplier to the US,' pointed out added that the government's Rs 20,000-crore scheme will focus on making export credit accessible, enhancing brand building, and addressing non-tariff barriers. The aim is to provide liquidity, promote market diversification, and support value addition. 'While this injection can help tide over some immediate financial distress, industry experts warn it cannot fully compensate for the cost disadvantage created by the high US tariffs and ongoing oversupply and price drops due to Ecuador's surge in production and exports,' he said.
Economic Times
11 minutes ago
- Economic Times
RBL Bank shares in focus as RBI approves stake acquisition in USFBL post-amalgamation
RBL Bank shares: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved its acquisition of a stake in Utkarsh Small Finance Bank (USFBL). The approval, dated August 5, 2025, relates to the merger of Utkarsh Coreinvest Ltd (UCL) with USFBL. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Shares of RBL Bank are expected to be in the spotlight on Thursday after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted its approval for the bank to acquire an aggregate holding in Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Limited (USFBL).The approval was provided via an RBI letter dated August 5, and is linked solely to the amalgamation of Utkarsh Coreinvest Ltd (UCL) with USFBL.'We wish to inform you that the RBI vide its letter dated August 5, 2025, granted its approval to acquire aggregate holding in Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Limited (USFBL), solely on account of amalgamation of Utkarsh Coreinvest Limited (UCL) with USFBL,' said RBL Bank via its filing to the stock RBL Bank does not directly hold any shares in USFBL, it owns 8.64% in UCL as of March 31, the proposed amalgamation, this stake would translate into more than 5% holding in USFBL's paid-up equity share capital, which triggered the need for regulatory approval under RBI norms.'The Bank does not hold any shares in USFBL and there is no direct acquisition, however as the Bank holds 8.64% shares in UCL as on March 31, 2025, pursuant to Share exchange Ratio for amalgamation, the Bank's shareholding in USFBL post completion of the amalgamation of UCL with USFB would exceed 5% of paid up Equity Share Capital of USFBL, hence the Bank had made an application to RBI in response to which the aforesaid approval is received,' the company had response, RBL Bank filed an application with the RBI, which has now been approved. The central bank's consent is conditional on full compliance with multiple regulatory the RBI's approval mandates that the aggregate holding of RBL Bank in USFBL must remain below 10% of the latter's paid-up capital or voting rights at all Wednesday, the shares of RBL Bank closed 2% lower at Rs 260.05 on the BSE.
New Indian Express
11 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
BWSSB regularises 1,325 illegal connections, nets Rs 142.66 crore
BENGALURU: BWSSB has regularised 1,325 unauthorised sanitary and water connections in its limits by collecting fines and installation fees amounting to Rs 142.66 crore. It launched a drive against unauthorised connections two months ago. During the drive, BWSSB disconnected such connections and issued notices, asking the violators to pay fines and fees towards regularisation. Officials of the board, who collected data from Bescom, found 43,000 unauthorised sanitary and water connections. They also identified 383 apartment complexes which had taken connections without BBMP approvals. 'When the violators did not pay heed to notices, a team from BWSSB launched a disconnection drive. Action against the violators resulted in the collection of Rs 142.66 crore,' an official said. BWSSB chairman Ram Prasath Manohar earlier stated that the board had identified 383 apartment complexes which had unauthorised sanitary connections. Because of such unauthorised connections, the pressure on the pipes increased, resulting in punctures and leakages. Maintenance of the sanitary network has become a big challenge for the board because of such unauthorised connections taken by developers and owners of apartment complexes. The board is expecting Rs 200 crore from errant owners of apartment complexes.
