A relief for the passengers as two most popular trains of the region, Duronto Express and Vidarbha Express would soon be in service again from today. With State Government reservations about plying of inter-district train lifted, Central Railway Headquarters took its own time in notifying that five Mail/Express and Inter-city trains would resume travel after six months lockdown due to COVID19 pandemic. Duronto Express was the favourite train of travellers on Mumbai circuit as the overnight journey to State capital and to second capital vice-versa enjoyed good patronage. Many of the travellers preferred it over air connectivity as they find it more convenient to reach their destination.
As per the notification of Central Railway, the Duronto Express will resume ex-Nagpur from October 9 and the next day ex-Mumbai on October 10. The timings from either end remain unchanged, 8.40 pm ex-Nagpur and reaching CSMT 8.05 am, negotiating the 833 km distance within 11.25 hrs. The train has only one halt that is Igatpuri station for purpose of attachment of banker to negotiating the ghat section that lies ahead on way to Kalyan station.
The train would have eight sleeper coaches, nine AC-III tier, three AC-II tier and one first class, in all 21 bogies. The second most important train from point of view to Nagpurians is CSMT-Gondia-CSMT Vidarbha Express which before introduction of Duronto Express was in top five patronized trains by travellers over Indian Railways. The train is now very important for middle stations after Nagpur as this provide connectivity to capital Mumbai. Moreover, the timings of Vidarbha Express are quite convenient and hence the train enjoys popularity in Vidarbha region. The train composition would include 10 sleeper coaches, five AC-III tier, three AC-II tier, one first class and five seating coaches. Meanwhile, Railway Board has asked the zones to consider early introduction of some other long distance passenger carrying trains. The board has shortlisted 26 weekly and bi-weekly trains including that originating and passing through including Nagpur-Amritsar, Chennai Hazrat Nizamuddin (Duronto), Ajni-Pune, Kamakhya-LTT AC weekly, Howrah-Pune (Duronto).
