Title - Mumbai-Delhi passengers will soon have an option to travel by another Premier class train from Mumba

MUMBAI: Mumbai-Delhi passengers will soon have an option to travel by another Premier class train from Mumbai Central. In order to cater to huge demand, Western Railway (WR) has drawn by plans to run Rajdhani type train on a regular basis around Jan 26.

WR runs already run 14 trains per day for Delhi, including Duronto Express, Garib Rath Express, Jammu Tawi Superfast Express etc. It also includes 2 Rajdhani class trains - Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express (train no. 12951) August Kranti Rajdhani (train no. 12953) from Mumbai Central.

A senior WR official said, "The proposed service will be categorized 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 existing Rajdhani express leaves from Mumbai Central at 4.40 and arrives in New Delhi at 8.30 am. During its return journey, the train arrives in Mumbai at 8.35 am and leaves New Delhi at 4.30 pm.

The August Kranti Rajdhani express departs from Mumbai Central 5.40 pm and arrives in Hazrat Nizamuddin Station at 10.55 am. This train departs from Hazrat Nizamuddin station at 4.55 pm and arrives in Mumbai Central at 9.55 am

The new service is brain child of WR general manager Mahesh Kumar, 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 WR cannot introduce a 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."

Prior to Nov 2012, both these trains used to run with only 18 coaches. But after extension of platform and remodeling of yard at Mumbai Central, both these trains have started running with 21 coach

The decision to select the class of three additional coaches depends on the wait list category on that particular day. If the demand was more for II-tier, WR use to use coaches that can accommodate this class of passengers.

However it has now 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. The decision is expected to bring down the waiting list to zero in these class of trains.