The Howrah–New Delhi Duronto Express is a Duronto class train which operates between capital of West Bengal, Kolkata and the national capital New Delhi. It is the second Duronto train connecting Delhi to Kolkata, the other one being Sealdah–Bikaner Duronto Express.Most of the other Duronto trains take less travel time than their Rajdhani counterparts. Therefore, before the introduction of Howrah Duronto, it was expected to be the fastest service on the route by many Indian railfans. The Rajdhani Express gets top-most priority on the route, making it the fastest train in the Howrah–Delhi route. But, the Rajdhani continues to be the fastest as both trains cover the same distance and despite being non-stop service, with no commercial halts, the Duronto takes more time than the Rajdhani.It got modern LHB Rakes from 2nd,3rd July 2021 having Max Permissible Speed of 130 kmph,thus replacing the hybrid LHB Rakes which have Max Permissible Speed of 120 kmph
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![]() Howrah-New Delhi Duronto Express standing on platform 4 of Asansol Junction. | |
Overview | |
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Service type | Duronto Express |
Status | Operating |
Locale | Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal |
First service | 31 March 2010; 12 years ago (2010-03-31) |
Current operator(s) | Eastern Railway zone |
Route | |
Termini | New Delhi (NDLS) Howrah (HWH) |
Stops | 5 |
Distance travelled | 1,531 kilometres (951 mi) |
Average journey time | 22hrs |
Service frequency | Bi-weekly |
Train number(s) | 12273/12274 |
On-board services | |
Class(es) | First AC, Second AC, Third AC, Sleeper |
Seating arrangements | Available |
Sleeping arrangements | Available |
Catering facilities | Available |
Observation facilities | LHB coaches |
Baggage facilities | Available |
Technical | |
Rolling stock | Loco: WAP-5 |
Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
Electrification | 25 kV AC 50 Hz |
Operating speed | Average – 70 km/hr Maximum – 130 km/hr |
With effect from February 2018 the route of this train was changed from Grand Chord to mainline.Therefore it now travels 1,531 km rather than 1,452 kms.Due to this it takes more time than the Premium Rajdhanis and Sealdah Duronto Express from Kolkata to Delhi.Therefore it's average speed went down from 84 kmph to 70 kmph.
It is hauled by a Howrah-based WAP-5,Howrah-based WAP-7 end to end.[1]
The maximum permissible speed of the train is up to 130 kmph except some parts. Its all coaches are of air conditioned LHB coaches type which is capable of reaching 160 kmph but it does not touch. Sometimes people become confused because according to Indian Railways Permanent Way Manual (IRPWM) on Indian Railways website or Indian Railway Institute of Civil Engineering website, the BG (Broad Gauge) lines have been classified into six groups ‘A’ to ‘E’ on the basis of the future maximum permissible speeds but it may not be same as present speed.
The maximum permissible speed is 130 kmph except two small parts – 29 km long New Delhi (NDLS) – Chipyana Buzurg (CPYZ) part where Railway is trying to raise maximum permissible sectional speed to 130 kmph from 110 kmph [1] and Jhajha – Madhupur part where trains pass through at a maximum permissible speed of 110 kmph . The trains also touch the speed of 100 kmph in a short stretch of approximately for this short distance.
Railway Board has approved the speed policy which envisages operation of passenger trains at 160 kmph on Delhi–Howrah route but it is still unclear what will its impact on this train in future like increasing of speed but not up to 160 kmph or up to 160 kmph.
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