Title - Western Railway to run Rajdhani-type train from Mumbai to Delhi from Jan 26, 2013

In order to cater to huge passenger demand, Western Railway (WR) has drawn plans to run a Rajdhani-type train on a regular basis from Mumbai Central to New Delhi from around January 26, 2013, as per a TOI report. A senior WR official said, "The proposed service will be categorised as special Rajdhani train and will depart from Mumbai Central at around 3.30 pm. It will follow the same route taken by the other two Rajdhani class trains from Mumbai and reach New Delhi the next day by 7.30 am approximately. On it return journey, the train will leave from New Delhi at 2.30 pm and arrive in Mumbai at around 7 am the following day."

The new service is brain child of Mahesh Kumar, General Manager of Western Railway, who is keen to eliminate waiting list for these class of trains plying between Mumbai and New Delhi. It has been designated as special Rajdhani train because Western Railway cannot introduce new trains if it has not been a part of a railway budget announcement.

The official said, "This train will cease to be designated as regular service once it becomes a part railway budget announcement for the year 2013-14. The service and interiors of this train will be similar to those that exist in Rajdhani class trains."

It has been decided to augment these trains by one AC-II tier and -III tier coach on a permanent basis. The class of remaining one coach will be decided on daily basis as per the demand.

Western Railway already runs 14 trains per day for Delhi, including Duronto Express, Garib Rath Express, Jammu Tawi Superfast Express, etc. It also includes two Rajdhani class trains - Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express (train no. 12951) August Kranti Rajdhani (train no. 12953) from Mumbai Central.