South Eastern Railway Writes to Railway Board
Mail News Service
Jamshedpur: Preparations are underway to operate a Sleeper Vande Bharat Express between Tatanagar and Varanasi. The South Eastern Railway has formally written to the Railway Board in this regard.
According to railway sources, a detailed passenger demand survey has already been completed, based on which the proposal has been prepared. As per the plan, the Sleeper Vande Bharat Express will depart from Tatanagar in the morning and reach Varanasi by afternoon. On the return journey, the train is expected to leave Varanasi in the afternoon and arrive at Tatanagar at night.
Proposed Route
The proposed route of the Sleeper Vande Bharat Express includes Purulia, Bokaro, Gomo, Gaya, and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction.
Railway officials said that apart from the Tatanagar–Varanasi sector, the possibility of running a Sleeper Vande Bharat Express between Tatanagar and Bilaspur is also being explored. However, officials have refrained from making any official statement so far.
Amrit Bharat Express Between Santragachi and Tambaram
South Eastern Railway is also set to receive its first Amrit Bharat Express. The train is proposed to run between Santragachi and Tambaram, with a strong possibility of its inaugural run around January 18.
Additionally, the railway is examining the feasibility of introducing an Amrit Bharat Express between Tatanagar and Howrah. If approved, it could serve as an alternative to the Steel Express, offering passengers more modern amenities and improved travel comfort.
The Amrit Bharat Express is designed and manufactured using indigenous technology and aims to provide non-AC passengers with a safe, reliable, and modern travel experience at affordable fares.
Possible Route Change for Tatanagar–Brahmapur Vande Bharat
At present, two Vande Bharat Express trains operate from Tatanagar—Tatanagar–Patna and Tatanagar–Brahmapur. However, due to low passenger occupancy on the Tatanagar–Brahmapur route, railway authorities are considering extending or shifting the service to Puri or Bhubaneswar.
Sources said that when the service was launched, higher passenger demand was expected, but the response has remained below projections. Besides these, two other Vande Bharat Express trains also pass through Tatanagar station.
If implemented, these proposed changes and new services are expected to significantly enhance rail connectivity and travel options for passengers in and around Jamshedpur and the Kolhan region.
