VINOD BHAT
Tamil Nadu, Jan 16:
From the land of tea, timber and tourism to the education centre of Tamil Nadu, the New Jalpaiguri-Tiruchchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express will create a vital rail corridor across eastern and southern India. Beginning from New Jalpaiguri, the gateway to the Northeast and a strategically important region close to international borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh, the train will link this border-sensitive zone with the historic temple cities and educational hubs of Tamil Nadu. The service will strengthen long-distance connectivity while reinforcing the strategic and economic integration of the Northeast with the rest of the country.
The New Jalpaiguri-Tiruchchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express will depart from New Jalpaiguri at 4:45 PM (Friday) and will reach Tiruchchirappalli at 4:15 PM on Sunday. The Tiruchchirappalli-New Jalpaiguri Amrit Bharat Express, will depart from Tiruchchirappalli at 5:45 AM (Wednesday) and will arrive at New Jalpaiguri at 5:00 AM (Friday).
The Amrit Bharat Express will benefit a large number of districts across six states. In West Bengal, it will serve Medinipur West, Howrah, Hooghly, Birbhum, Maldah and Jalpaiguri. In Bihar, Katihar and Kishanganj will gain improved access. In Uttar Pradesh, the train will connect Agra and Prayagraj. In Odisha, districts such as Ganjam, Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur and Bhadrak will be covered. In Andhra Pradesh, it will serve Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Prakasam and SPSR Nellore. In Tamil Nadu, the route will connect Tiruchchirappalli, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Kanchipuram and Chennai.
The journey passes through several famous tourist destinations, making it attractive for travellers. These include the tea gardens and Himalayan foothills around New Jalpaiguri, the heritage cities of Agra and Prayagraj, the temple city of Bhubaneswar, the Cauvery delta region, and the iconic temples of Thanjavur and Tiruchchirappalli, along with Chennai’s cultural and coastal attractions.
Overall, the New Jalpaiguri-Tiruchchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express will boost local economies by improving access to markets, tourism centres, educational institutions and employment hubs. It will support small businesses, hospitality and trade along the route, enhance mobility for border and interior districts, and contribute to more balanced regional development across eastern and southern India.
