Rajdhani Express
The Rajdhani Express is a prominent passenger train service in India that establishes vital connections between New Delhi and other significant destinations, primarily state capitals. Launched in 1969, the Rajdhani Express aimed to provide rapid connectivity from different New Delhi railway stations to the capital cities of various Indian states, and in some cases, to major cities within the states it served.
The first Rajdhani Express left New Delhi station for Howrah station to cover a distance of 1,445 km in 17 hours 20 mins. These trains get the highest priority on the Indian railway network. Fully air-conditioned, passengers receive complimentary meals during the journey. Depending on the duration and timings of the journey, these could include lunch, high tea, dinner, morning tea and breakfast. Almost all Rajdhani trains offer three classes of accommodation:
- First Class AC with 2- or 4-berth lockable bedrooms.
- AC 2-tier with open berths (bays of 4 berths + 2 berths on the other side of the corridor) with curtains for privacy
- AC 3-tier (bays of 6 berths + 2 berths on the side) with no curtains.
Currently, there are 50 trains of Rajdhani Express trains, connecting New Delhi to Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Guwahati/Dibrugarh, Hyderabad, Ranchi, Kolkata , Jammu, Mumbai , Patna and Thiruvananthapuram. These trains have fewer stops than other express trains. They halt only in prominent cities and state capitals like Bhopal, Ratlam, Itarsi, Nagda, Allahabad, Nagpur, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Jhansi, Kota, and Jaipur.
Permanent Augmentation of Coaches in Rajdhani Trains
Konkan Railway announced that it has been decided to permanently augment extra coaches in the following Rajdhani Express trains. The details are as follows:
Train No. 12432/12431 (H. Nizamuddin – Thiruvananthapuram Central – H. Nizamuddin Tri-Weekly Rajdhani Express)
Existing Composition:
- First AC – 01 Coach
- 2 Tier AC – 05 Coaches
- 3 Tier AC – 11 Coaches
- Pantry Car – 01
- Generator Car – 02
- Total – 20 LHB Coaches
- Augmentation:
- First AC – 01 Coach
- 3 Tier AC – 01 Coach
Revised Composition:
- First AC – 02 Coaches
- 2 Tier AC – 05 Coaches
- 3 Tier AC – 12 Coaches
- Pantry Car – 01
- Generator Car – 02
- Total – 22 LHB Coaches
- Effective Dates:
- Train No. 12432 (Ex. H. Nizamuddin) from 04/02/2025
- Train No. 12431 (Ex. Thiruvananthapuram Central) from 06/02/2025
- Train No. 22414/22413 (H. Nizamuddin – Madgaon – H. Nizamuddin Bi-Weekly Rajdhani Express)
- Effective Dates:
- Train No. 22414 (Ex. H. Nizamuddin) from 07/02/2025
- Train No. 22413 (Ex. Madgaon) from 09/02/2025
Rajdhani Express – European Model Coaches
Western Railway announced that Railway decided to upgraded the Trains into European model. The Railway upgraded a Mumbai-New Delhi Rajdhani Express first-class AC LHB coach experimentally at Lower Parel Workshop.
- This coach features high-quality upholstery and carpet similar to those used in European railroads, ensuring a superior touch and feel for its premium clientele.
- For ladies and senior citizens, ergonomically designed wooden ladders have been incorporated in steps, as opposed to the earlier metal ladders, to facilitate climbing up to the upper berth. Improved illumination in the coach with judicious use of an advanced LED-based lighting system enhances reading lights.
- Pre-anodized aluminium reflectors for compartment lights
- A more vibrant and pleasing colour scheme has been chosen for the walls.
- Long-lasting anti-graffiti PU light blue and cream paint have been extensively used to facilitate easy cleaning of the coach.
- For overall cleanliness and hygiene of the lavatory, oriental style lavatory floors have been redesigned for swift drainage and easy maintenance.
- Large scale use of stainless steel components adds to the aesthetics of the coach.
