Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat services boost connectivity across major corridors
February 1, 2026: Indian Railways has announced the rollout of 20 new train services across the country, scheduled to begin operations from February 1, 2026. The expansion is aimed at improving connectivity between key cities and easing travel demand during peak holiday and festival seasons. The new lineup includes Amrit Bharat Express, Vande Bharat, passenger and special trains, catering to daily commuters, long-distance travellers and passengers seeking faster and more affordable rail options. Tickets are already available for booking on the IRCTC website and mobile app.
Introduced under the Trains At A Glance (TAG) 2026 plan, the services span all major zones—north, south, east and west—strengthening links between national and regional hubs. Key additions include the daily Delhi–Shamli commuter service, Pilibhit–Shahjahanpur Passenger, Rajendra Nagar–New Delhi Amrit Bharat, Sabarmati–Jodhpur Vande Bharat, Kamakhya–Rohtak Amrit Bharat, Sambalpur–Erode Special, and new Dhulia–Varanasi and Dhulia–Ayodhya connections to support religious and tourism travel. Several special express trains will also run temporarily in February to manage high passenger volumes.
A major focus of this expansion is the increased deployment of Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains, which combine improved speed, modern amenities and relatively lower fares. These additions are part of Indian Railways’ broader push to modernise infrastructure, enhance passenger comfort and improve operational efficiency. Travellers are advised to check schedules and availability on the IRCTC portal or official enquiry systems, as timings may be adjusted based on operational requirements.