Indian Railways has put its first Amrit Bharat Express 3.0 train on the road, and the first route is one of the busiest at this time of year: New Delhi to Patna. The train left New Delhi railway station for Patna at midnight on 11 November 2026 as a special service for Chhath Puja, The Indian Express reports, citing Northern Railway.
What is new about this train
Earlier Amrit Bharat trains were built with non-AC coaches. The 3.0 version, developed by the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory, brings a mix of air-conditioned and non-AC coaches, which gives passengers more choice at fares meant for ordinary travellers. Northern Railway says the design keeps the needs of common and middle-class passengers in mind.
The trainset has 22 coaches: six Third AC, two Second AC, one First AC, six Sleeper, four General, one pantry car, one power car and one Divyangjan-cum-guard brake van. It builds on the experience of Amrit Bharat 1.0 and 2.0, which were launched from 2023.
Features passengers will notice
According to the Express report, the train has comfortable seating, an improved suspension system, modern toilets and mobile charging points. It uses push-pull technology, which allows faster acceleration and a smoother, safer ride. The coach interiors have new colour themes, with matching shades for flooring, berth upholstery, snack tables, curtains and washroom areas. The Ministry of Railways has said that all materials used are compliant with HL3 fire safety standards.
Northern Railway called the service a boon for passengers and said it would help manage the surge in demand between Delhi and Bihar during Chhath, as quoted by the report.
The wider festival rush
Delhi–Patna is not the only corridor under pressure. The Hindu reports that South Central Railway is operating nearly 400 special trains during the festival season and expects about 4.6 lakh passengers a day at its major stations this month. Many of these trains go to states where Chhath is celebrated on a large scale, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. Destinations named include Darbhanga, Patna, Chhapra, Sasaram, Danapur, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Shalimar and Howrah.
To keep crowds safe, the zone is deploying extra ticket-checking staff and Railway Protection Force personnel. They guide passengers into queues and orderly entry to coaches. Stations make frequent announcements on train numbers, arrivals and coach positions, and passenger holding areas have been set up at key stations. Separately, the zone is running 54 special trains for Sabarimala pilgrims until January.
Tips for travellers heading home
Check your train's status and platform on the official railway enquiry channels before you leave for the station, since special trains can change timings. Arrive early, follow the queue marked by RPF staff and keep your ID and ticket ready. Avoid carrying more luggage than you need, as platforms are crowded.
Chhath celebrations in Hyderabad are reported for 13 to 16 November, and in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh the main rituals fall in the same days, so demand for return journeys will also stay high after the festival. We were unable to confirm the number of special trains run by other zones from the sources we read, so rely on your zone's own notices.
What next
The Amrit Bharat 3.0 train is a special service for now, and Northern Railway has not said, in the reports we read, whether it will become a regular train or other routes will get the same type of rake. Passengers should watch for official announcements. In the meantime, specials from Delhi and Hyderabad will continue to run through the festival days.
