Madhya Pradesh is set to receive two new high-speed trains — the Vande Bharat Express and the Amrit Bharat Express — soon, but passengers from state capital Bhopal will have to wait a little longer. The launch, initially planned for October, has been postponed by about two months. The trains are now expected to start operations in December.
The Vande Bharat Express will run between Bhopal and Lucknow, while the Amrit Bharat Express will connect Bhopal and Patna. Both services will depart from Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in Bhopal, significantly reducing travel time and improving passenger comfort.
Reason for the Delay
The postponement is due to ongoing infrastructure preparations at Rani Kamlapati Railway Station. A special washing pit line is being built for the maintenance of these trains, along with an ROH (Routine Overhauling) shed for servicing the Vande Bharat Express. The pit line will be equipped with modern facilities and technical support from German company Linke Hofmann Busch to handle the new-generation coaches. While work was earlier expected to finish before October, it is now in its final stages and will be completed before the December launch.
Facilities and Time Savings
The Vande Bharat Express will cut the travel time between Bhopal and Lucknow from the current 9–11 hours to around 7 hours for the 590 km journey. The Amrit Bharat Express on the Bhopal–Patna route will also save several hours, offering both seating and sleeper coaches for added comfort.
Currently, only one train — the Ahmedabad–Barauni Express — operates between Bhopal and Patna, taking 18–20 hours to cover the 1,000 km distance. With the introduction of the Amrit Bharat Express, passengers can expect much faster and more convenient travel.
