Karbi Anglong: The Dibrugarh-Gomtinagar-Dibrugarh Amrit Bharat Express was introduced with a special flagging-off ceremony at Diphu Railway Station on January 18, marking a significant boost to rail connectivity for the Northeast region. The inaugural run of this non-AC Amrit Bharat Express train, conceptualized under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was virtually flagged off by the Prime Minister through video conferencing. The event at Diphu Railway Station was scheduled tentatively at 6:00 PM, under the Divisional Railway Manager, Lumding Division of Northeast Frontier Railway.
The Amrit Bharat Express features ergonomically designed seating, fully connected coaches, a twin-engine configuration for enhanced safety and reliability, semi-automatic couplers, fire detection systems, sealed gangways, talk-back units, and advanced safety features in non-AC coaches for the first time. It aims to provide affordable, comfortable, and reliable long-distance travel options for passengers in the Northeast, connecting Dibrugarh (Assam) to Gomti Nagar (Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh) via key routes through states including Assam, Nagaland, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. The train (No. 15949 from Dibrugarh) operates weekly, with halts at numerous stations including Diphu, Lumding, Dimapur, Guwahati, and others.
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The ceremony at Diphu saw the presence of prominent dignitaries and local representatives, including Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Amarsing Tisso as guest of honour, Diphu local MLA Bidyasing Engleng, Ritesh Enghee, Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), AK Pandey, Railway ADM, Lumding, Abhijit Das, APRO, Dimapur, other officials from DRM office, Lumding, visitors, and passengers. Their attendance highlighted the importance of the new service for regional development and improved connectivity in Karbi Anglong and surrounding areas.
This introduction aligns with ongoing efforts by Indian Railways to expand affordable long-distance services, benefiting rail users in Assam and the broader Northeast by enhancing accessibility, safety, and comfort for everyday travelers. The event was covered by media representatives from both electronic and print outlets, as invited by the railway authorities.
