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Antyodaya Express
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| Antyodaya Express | |
|---|---|
Antyodaya Express | |
| Overview | |
| Service type | Un-reserved travel |
| Status | Active |
| Predecessor | Jan Sadharan Express |
| First service | 4 March 2017 |
| Successor | Amrit Bharat Express |
| Current operator | Indian Railways |
| Website | http://indianrail.gov.in |
| On-board services | |
| Class | Unreserved General |
| Seating arrangements | Yes |
| Sleeping arrangements | No |
| Catering facilities | On board Vendors sale |
| Entertainment facilities | Electric outlets |
| Baggage facilities | Underseat & Overhead racks |
| Other facilities | Fire Extinguishers Purified water dispensers |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | LHB rakes |
| Track gauge | 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge |
| Track owner | Indian Railways |
Antyodaya Express are a series of Economic Unreserved Superfast Express trains operated by Indian Railways. The trains were proposed to be overnight unreserved trains in the 2016 Railway budget of India. Antyodaya refers to the Rise of dusk in Sanskrit ( Anthi - Dusk, udhaya - Rise) which symbolises its Overnight Services. The coaches are designed by Indian Railways with features such as bio-toilets and dedicated power sockets.
History
[edit]The first service was inaugurated on 27 February 2017, between Ernakulam Junction and Howrah.[1]
Facilities
[edit]The trains include dedicated charging ports, bio-toilets, vinyl sheets on the exteriors for aesthetics, safety measures such as smoke alarm and CCTV, water vending machines, coat hangers, and Braille indicators.[2][3]
Services
[edit]Active
[edit]| Sr. No. | Train No | Route | Service frequency | Inaugural run on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22877/22878 | Howrah–Ernakulam | Weekly | 4 March 2017 |
| 2 | 22921/22922 | Bandra–Gorakhpur | Weekly | 13 August 2017 |
| 3 | 22563/22564 | Jaynagar–Udhna | Weekly | 13 October 2017 |
| 4 | 22551/22552 | Darbhanga–Jalandhar City | Weekly | 19 May 2018 |
| 5 | 22841/22842 | Santragachi–Tambaram (Chennai) | Weekly | 4 June 2018 |
| 6 | 20691/20692 | Tambaram (Chennai)–Nagercoil | Daily | 9 June 2018[4] |
| 7 | 16355/16356 | Kochuveli–Mangaluru Junction | Biweekly | 8 June 2018[5][6] |
| 8 | 15551/15552 | Darbhanga–Varanasi City | Weekly | 6 March 2019 |
| 9 | 12597/12598 | Gorakhpur–Mumbai CSMT | Weekly | 23 April 2019 |
| 10 | 15101/15102 | Chhapra–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (Mumbai) | Weekly | 26 April 2019 |
| 11 | 15267/15268 | Raxaul–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (Mumbai) | Weekly | 31 August 2019 |
| 12 | 15559/15560 | Darbhanga–Ahmedabad | Weekly | 22 November 2019 |
Defunct
[edit]| Sr. No. | Train No | Route | Service frequency | Inaugural run on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16189/16190 | Tambaram–Sengottai | Bi-Weekly | 5 March 2018 |
| 2 | 22895/22896 | Durg–Firozpur Cantonment | Weekly | 1 May 2018 |
| 3 | 14719/14720 | Bikaner–Bilaspur | Weekly | 13 July 2018 |
| 4 | 22885/22886 | Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (Mumbai)–Tatanagar | Biweekly | 18 March 2017 |
| 5 | 15547/15548 | Jaynagar–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (Mumbai) | Weekly | 24 September 2018 |
See also
[edit]- Vande Bharat Express
- Amrit Bharat Express
- AC Superfast Express
- Jaipur–Udaipur City Antyodaya Express
- Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor
- Humsafar Express
- Tejas Express
- Uday Express
- Double Decker Express
- Duronto Express
- Rajdhani Express
- Shatabdi Express
- Jan Shatabdi Express
- Jan Sadharan Express
- Garib Rath Express
- Mahamana Express
- Gatimaan Express
- Yuva Express
References
[edit]- ^ "Tejas, Hamsafar Express trains in railway's new timetable". The Times of India. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Suresh Prabhu unveils Antyodaya Express for common man". The Hindu Business Line. PTI. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
- ^ "Forget flights! Indian Railways upgrades train travel for common man, unreserved & premium passengers; 5 facts". The Financial Express. 7 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
- ^ "Extended Antyodaya Express flagged off from Nagercoil". The Times of India. 6 March 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ Sastry, Anil Kumar (25 October 2017). "New Rly. timetable brings two new trains to city". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
- ^ "Kerala gets two more trains". The Times of India. 25 October 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
Antyodaya Express
View on GrokipediaOverview and Purpose
Definition and Characteristics
The Antyodaya Express refers to a series of long-distance, fully unreserved superfast trains operated by Indian Railways, specifically introduced to offer affordable travel to economically weaker sections of society by eliminating reservation requirements and focusing on general seating. These trains are designed for overnight journeys, providing access to unreserved general class coaches without sleeping berths or air-conditioned facilities, thereby prioritizing volume and cost-effectiveness over premium amenities.[6][2] Key technical characteristics include the use of Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) rakes, which enhance safety through anti-climbing couplers and improved crashworthiness, and operation on the standard Indian broad gauge of 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm). With no pantry cars or reserved accommodations, these trains maintain an average speed of 55-60 km/h to qualify as superfast services, allowing efficient coverage of distances over 700 km while stopping only at major stations.[7][8] In distinction from other Indian Railways offerings, the Antyodaya Express differs from the Garib Rath, which provides reserved air-conditioned seating at reduced fares, and the Jan Shatabdi, a daytime service blending air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned coaches for shorter routes. The proposal for these trains was announced in the 2016-17 Railway Budget by Minister Suresh Prabhu to address the needs of unreserved passengers.[2][9]Objectives and Target Audience
The Antyodaya Express trains were introduced with the primary objective of providing affordable and reliable long-distance unreserved superfast travel options to economically disadvantaged sections of society, thereby alleviating overcrowding in general unreserved coaches of existing mail and express trains.[10] This initiative targets low-income families, migrant workers, and rural passengers who often rely on non-air-conditioned unreserved services but seek improved comfort without the expense of reserved air-conditioned classes.[10] Drawing from the broader "Antyodaya" philosophy, which emphasizes uplifting the poorest of the poor—often described as ensuring no one is left behind—these trains align with national efforts to enhance accessibility for underserved populations. The fare structure supports this accessibility by maintaining fixed low rates, set at 15% above the base fare for unreserved second class in mail/express trains, translating to approximately ₹0.35 per kilometer (as of July 2025) to keep costs economical for target users.[3][11] This pricing was briefly referenced in the 2016 Railway Budget announcement as a means to serve the common man on high-density routes without imposing undue financial burden.[12] In July 2025, Indian Railways rationalized fares with a minor increase of 1 paisa per km for non-AC second class to support financial sustainability while preserving affordability.[11]History
Inception and Launch
The Antyodaya Express was proposed in the 2016-17 Railway Budget presented by Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu on February 25, 2016, as part of initiatives to enhance passenger-friendly services for unreserved travelers.[2] The scheme aimed to introduce long-distance, fully unreserved superfast trains on popular routes to offer comfortable journeys at affordable fares, targeting the common man and low-income groups with modern LHB coaches but no air-conditioned or executive classes.[13] The official inauguration occurred on February 27, 2017, when Minister Prabhu flagged off the inaugural special run via video conferencing from Rail Bhavan in New Delhi.[6] This event marked the launch of the service between Ernakulam Junction and Howrah, emphasizing its role in providing accessible superfast travel.[14] The first regular service commenced on March 4, 2017, with Train Nos. 22877/22878 operating weekly between Ernakulam Junction and Howrah, covering 2,288 km in approximately 37 hours.[3] Initial operations focused on high-demand corridors in southern and eastern India to address connectivity needs for unreserved passengers seeking economical long-distance travel.[6]Expansion and Modifications
The Antyodaya Express service began with a single pair of trains in 2017 and rapidly expanded to 10 pairs by August 2018, driven by the Indian Railways' initiative to enhance connectivity for long-distance unreserved travel.[15] By mid-2019, the network had grown to include 11 pairs, incorporating additional routes such as the Bandra Terminus–Gorakhpur Antyodaya Express, which was introduced in 2017 to serve western and northern India.[16][17] This growth reflected broader efforts to increase the fleet of unreserved superfast trains, with over 100 specialized coaches manufactured for Antyodaya services in the 2019-2020 fiscal year.[18] Post-launch modifications focused on operational efficiency, including adjustments to service frequencies on select routes. Minor speed enhancements were implemented as part of Indian Railways' network-wide timetable revisions, allowing some Antyodaya trains to operate at average speeds up to 60 km/h on upgraded sections without altering their superfast status.[19] Additionally, integration with the Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) mobile app facilitated digital booking for unreserved travel, enabling passengers to purchase paperless tickets up to 60 minutes before departure and reducing queues at stations.[20] In 2024 and 2025, no major new Antyodaya routes were launched, with emphasis placed on maintaining the existing fleet through periodic overhauls and coach replacements to ensure reliability. As of November 2025, there are approximately 28 Antyodaya Express services operating across India. Temporary disruptions occurred due to infrastructure blocks, such as the partial cancellation of the Tambaram–Nagercoil Antyodaya Express from June 22 to July 21, 2025, between Tirunelveli and Nagercoil for yard works, requiring rescheduling for affected passengers.[21] The COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022 led to widespread temporary suspensions of Antyodaya services during lockdowns, with gradual resumption only after mid-2021, resulting in operational gaps and reduced frequencies on several routes.Facilities and Design
Coach Specifications
Antyodaya Express trains consist of rakes typically comprising 20 to 24 Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coaches, all configured as general unreserved second-class seating without any air-conditioned or sleeper variants to ensure affordability for long-distance travel.[22][23] The design emphasizes standardization and durability, with stainless steel bodies that enhance longevity and reduce maintenance needs compared to conventional coaches.[24] These coaches incorporate safety features such as anti-climbing couplers to prevent telescoping during collisions and disc brakes for improved stopping efficiency.[25] The trains operate on India's broad gauge track of 1,676 mm, making them compatible with the electrified network across the country.[26] LHB coaches are engineered for maximum speeds of up to 130 km/h, though operational speeds on these routes generally average 55-60 km/h to accommodate passenger loading and track conditions.[27] Each full rake measures approximately 550 meters in length, depending on the number of coaches, facilitating efficient handling on standard railway infrastructure.[28][29] Manufacturing of Antyodaya Express coaches occurs primarily at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, with approvals from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) ensuring compliance with safety and performance standards; additional production takes place at other RDSO-approved units like the Rail Coach Factory.[24][25] The first rakes were delivered in early 2017, marking the introduction of these fully unreserved LHB formations into service.[30]Passenger Amenities
Antyodaya Express trains are equipped with several safety features to ensure passenger security in unreserved compartments. Each coach includes CCTV surveillance for monitoring, smoke alarms for early detection of hazards, and fire extinguishers fitted with anti-theft arrangements. Additionally, emergency talk-back units allow direct communication with the guard in case of distress.[7] For comfort and hygiene, the trains feature bio-vacuum toilets in every coach to maintain cleanliness during long journeys. Interiors incorporate vinyl upholstery and flooring that facilitate easy cleaning and resist wear from high usage. Charging ports, including 5-15 amp sockets, are provided at seats for mobile devices and laptops, alongside coat hooks and cushioned luggage racks that can double as additional seating during peak times. These LHB-based coaches also include fans for ventilation, LED lighting for energy-efficient illumination, and provisions for onboard vendors to supply food and essentials, as there is no dedicated pantry car.[7][6][31] Accessibility is enhanced through Braille signage on coach interiors for visually impaired passengers. Potable water vending machines are available at serving platforms to provide safe drinking water linked to train schedules. To manage overcrowding, each general coach accommodates up to 100-120 passengers, offering more space than traditional unreserved designs.[25][7][32]Services
Active Routes
As of November 2025, Indian Railways operates 14 pairs of Antyodaya Express trains, providing unreserved superfast connectivity across major long-distance corridors in the country.[5] These services primarily link metropolitan hubs to tier-2 and tier-3 cities in states such as Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, facilitating affordable travel for economically disadvantaged passengers.[33] The routes emphasize east-west and south-north connectivity, with typical journeys spanning 24 to 36 hours and distances ranging from 600 to over 2,000 kilometers. For instance, east-west services connect Mumbai's suburban terminals to eastern destinations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, while south-north routes bridge southern ports and cities with eastern hubs like Howrah and Santragachi.[5] Average speeds hover around 50-60 km/h, with stops at key intermediate stations to serve regional populations.[5] Most trains run on weekly or bi-weekly frequencies, though some southern routes operate daily to meet higher demand. Recent operational adjustments include additional stoppages for better accessibility; for example, the Howrah-Ernakulam Antyodaya Express received a new halt at Aluva station in 2024 to benefit local commuters in Kerala.[34] Similarly, the Tambaram-Nagercoil service was partially cancelled between mid-June and July 2025 due to engineering works in the Nagercoil yard.[21] The following table highlights representative active routes, including train numbers, key endpoints, frequencies, approximate distances, and notable features:| Train Pair | Route | Frequency | Distance (km) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22877/22878 | Howrah Jn – Ernakulam Jn | Weekly (Saturdays) | 2,288 | Connects eastern India to Kerala; 22 halts, including recent addition at Aluva.[3][34] |
| 22921/22922 | Bandra Terminus – Gorakhpur | Weekly (Sundays/Tuesdays) | 2,026 | East-west corridor serving Maharashtra to Uttar Pradesh; 19 halts. |
| 20691/20692 | Tambaram – Nagercoil Jn | Daily | 764 | Southern intra-state link in Tamil Nadu; bi-weekly origins expanded to daily in recent years, with 2025 timing tweaks.[35][21] |
| 22551/22552 | Darbhanga Jn – Jalandhar City | Weekly (Saturdays/Sundays) | 1,396 | North-south connectivity in Bihar and Punjab; focuses on tier-2 cities.[33] |
| 22841/22842 | Santragachi Jn – Tambaram | Weekly (Mondays/Wednesdays) | 1,684 | Links West Bengal to Tamil Nadu; 28-hour journey with emphasis on eastern-southern migration routes. |
| 16355/16356 | Thiruvananthapuram North – Mangalore Jn | Bi-weekly (Thursdays/Saturdays; Fridays/Sundays) | 614 | Coastal Kerala route; shortest in the fleet, upgraded amenities for daily-like service feel.[33] |
| 22583/22584 | Chhapra – Mumbai LTT | Daily | 2,033 | Major east-west artery to Bihar; 36-hour travel serving migrant workers.[5] |
