RajveerSingha1950 at 20:35, 3 May 2026

2026-05-03T20:35:00Z

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{{Short description|Train in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{italic title}}{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Howrah – New Delhi ''Rajdhani Express''
| logo = Ministry of Railways India.svg
| color = B22222
| image = Howrah rajdhani.jpg
| caption = Howrah Rajdhani Express arrived at [[Prayagraj Junction railway station|Prayagraj Junction]]
| type = [[Rajdhani Express]]
| locale = [[West Bengal]], [[Jharkhand]], [[Bihar]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] & [[Delhi]]
| first = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1969|03|01}}<ref name="budget70">{{cite web |url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1970-71.pdf|date=23 February 1970|title= Railway Budget speech 1970-71|website=www.indianrailways.gov.in|publisher=[[Ministry of Railways (India)|Ministry of Railways]]}}</ref>
| last =
| operator = [[Eastern Railway zone|Eastern Railways]] (ER)
| ridership =
| start = [[Howrah Junction|Howrah]] '''''(HWH)'''''
| stops = 7
| end = [[New Delhi railway station|New Delhi]] '''''(NDLS)'''''
| distance = {{convert|14452|km|0|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = 17h 5m
| frequency = 6 days a week.
| class = *AC First Class '''''(H1)''''' 
*AC 2 Tier '''''(A1)''''' 
*AC 3 Tier '''''(B1)'''''
| seating = Yes
| sleeping = Yes
| autorack =
| catering = Available
| observation = Large Windows
| entertainment = On-board WiFi
| baggage = Available
| otherfacilities = Below the seats
| stock = [[LHB coach]]
| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm|lk=on}}
| el =
| trainnumber = 12301 / 12302
| line_used = *[[Howrah-Bardhaman chord]]
*[[Bardhaman–Asansol section]]
*[[Asansol–Gaya section]]
*[[Gaya–Mughalsarai section]]
*[[Mughalsarai–Kanpur section]]
*[[Kanpur–Delhi section|Kanpur–Delhi line (till New Delhi)]]
| speed = {{convert|130|km/h|0|abbr=on}} maximum, {{convert|85|km/h|abbr=on}} average including halts.
| maintenance =
| map = [[File:(New Delhi - Howrah) Rajdhani Express (via Gaya) Route map.png|300px|(New Delhi - Howrah) Rajdhani Express (via Gaya) route map]] {{Howrah Rajdhani Express (via Gaya) Route}}
| map_state = show
}}

The 12301 / 12302 '''Howrah–New Delhi Rajdhani Express (via Gaya)''' (also known as '''''Kolkata Rajdhani Express''''') is a [[Rajdhani Express|Rajdhani class]] Superfast Express train of [[Indian Railways]] belonging to [[Eastern Railway zone]] that connects between the capital city of [[West Bengal]], [[Kolkata]] to the national capital of [[India]], [[Delhi|New Delhi]], via the city of [[Howrah]]. This is the first [[Rajdhani Express]] of [[India]] and is one of the fastest trains of [[Indian Railways]] in [[Kolkata]] to [[Delhi]] route. Not only in [[Kolkata]] to [[Delhi]] route, it is also the fastest train in [[Howrah railway station|Howrah Railway Station]]. It connects the [[Howrah railway station|Howrah Railway Station]] in [[Kolkata]] to the [[New Delhi railway station|New Delhi Railway Station]] in [[Delhi]]. Howrah Rajdhani Express is the Fastest Train From Howrah to New delhi and From New Delhi to Howrah covering the entire distance of more than 1450 km in just 17 hours. It receives the highest priority on its route and is also considered as the most premium train of ER. It is also the third fastest [[Rajdhani Express|Rajdhani class]] train in India.It proudly holds the title of the '''King of Eastern Railway'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=12302/New Delhi - Howrah Rajdhani Express (Via Gaya) - New Delhi to Howrah ER/Eastern Zone - Railway Enquiry |url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/-train-new-delhi-howrah-rajdhani-express-via-gaya-12302/1317/664/1 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=indiarailinfo.com}}</ref>

== History ==

[[File:Hwhraj1.jpg|thumb|The New Delhi bound 12301 Howrah Rajdhani Express entering into the suburbs of New Delhi, on its final leg of the journey]]
From 1965 onward [[Ministry of Railways (India)]] was looking for options to reduce the time travel between important destinations by implementing new technology. Hence for that very purpose the [[Howrah–Delhi main line]] was chosen for the trials owing to its technological superiority in terms of feasibility and others. Thus finally in the Railway Budget of 1969–70, an introduction of a new superfast train was announced which would connect [[Delhi]] to [[Kolkata]] in less than 18 hours, because until then the fastest trains between these two cities usually took more than 20 hours.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Speech of Shri S. K. Patil - Introducing the Railway Budget for 1965-66 | date=1965-02-18 | url=https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1965-66.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415091453/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1965-66.pdf | archive-date=2015-04-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title=Speech of Shri C. M. Poonacha - Introducing the Railway Budget for 1967-68 | date=1967-05-22 | url=https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1967-68_final.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415091514/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1967-68_final.pdf | archive-date=2015-04-15}}</ref>
[[File:12302 Howrah Rajdhani Express at Howrah Junction.jpg|thumb|Howrah bound 12302 Rajdhani Express standing at [[Howrah railway station|Howrah Railway Station]], after completing its journey from New Delhi]]
Thus, on 1 March 1969 the first Rajdhani Express left from [[New Delhi]] to [[Howrah]] at 1730 hrs and arrived at its destination at 1050 hrs on the next day, completing 1450 km in a record time of 17 hours 20 minutes. The honor of hauling the first Rajdhani was done by the WDM-4 class locomotive of Indian Railways. The return Rajdhani Express left Howrah Junction on 3 March 1969 at 1700 hrs and arrived at New Delhi on its next day at 1020 hrs. The maximum permissible speed of the Howrah Rajdhani Express was kept 120 km/h for safety reasons, thus making it the fastest train of India at that point of time.

The first train carried nine coaches, which were one Dining Car, one AC First Class, five AC Chair Car and two Generator/Power Car. The price of at that time was set at Rs. 280 for the AC First Class and Rs. 90 for AC Chair Car respectively. The coaches were specially designed and developed by [[Integral Coach Factory]] Perambur and had one of its kind vacuum brakes and under-slung air conditioning systems. Additionally the AC First Class was of 3 Cabin + 3 Coupe model while the AC Chair Car was of 2 x 2 seating model. At that time the train use to ply only on Monday and Friday respectively from both ends and had stoppages at [[Kanpur Central railway station]], [[Mughalsarai Junction railway station]] and [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Gomoh railway station]] only.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Howrah–New Delhi Rajdhani Express turns 50, passengers get special treatment|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/mar/04/howrah-new-delhi-rajdhani-express-turns-50-passengers-get-special-treatment-1946517.html|access-date=2021-06-17|website=The New Indian Express|date=4 March 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-02|title=Railways' golden girl: 50 years of the Rajdhani|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/railways-golden-girl-50-years-of-the-rajdhani/story-YycT0iir0GObqjuCUqrhKL.html|access-date=2021-06-17|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title=Speech of Shri C. M. Poonacha - Introducing the Railway Budget for 1967-68 | date=1967-05-22 | url=https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1968-69.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415085706/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1968-69.pdf | archive-date=2015-04-15}}</ref>

On 1 November 1971 the speed was upgraded to 130 km/h, thus reducing the time of journey by 25 minutes from both ends. At that time the train was hauled by twin WDM-4S locomotive from Mughalsarai Shed of Indian Railways. In 1983, the [[Research Design and Standards Organisation]] in association with [[Chittaranjan Locomotive Works]] manufactured the 3900 HP [[Indian locomotive class WAP-1|WAP-1]] class locomotive exclusively for Howrah Rajdhani Express. And with the introduction of the WAP-1 class locomotive, the train length was increased to 18 coaches, by adding additional AC Two Tier Coaches. Incidentally, the locomotives were painted in the same livery as that of the Howrah Rajdhani Express. On the very same year i.e. on 1 April 1983 owing to the high popularity and huge demand the frequency of the Howrah Rajdhani (via Gaya) was increased to 4 days a week, then to 5 days a week from 1 October 1983 and finally to present 6 days a week from 19 May 2003.

In 1992, the coaches were again redeveloped, and the Under-slung Air Conditioning System was replaced by Roof Mounted Air Condition Package Unit (RMPU), thus becoming the only train to have it at that point of time. In 1993, Air Conditioned 3 Tier coaches were added in the train and of 3 July 1993 another service via [[Patna Junction railway station]] was also introduced from Howrah on Sunday and from New Delhi on Friday respectively.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Speech of Shri C. K. Jaffer Sharief - Introducing the Railway Budget for 1992-93 | date=1992-02-25 | url=https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1992-93.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415081036/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1992-93.pdf | archive-date=2015-04-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title=Speech of Shri C.K. Jaffer Sharief - Introducing the Railway Budget, 1993-94 | date=1993-02-24 | url=https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1993-94.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415081024/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1993-94.pdf | archive-date=2015-04-15}}</ref>

On 3 February 2006, both the pairs of Howrah Rajdhani Express were upgraded to the [[LHB coach]]es, thus paving the way for the replacement and the end of the glorious era of the ICF coaches of Rajdhani Express. While on 2 April 2013, WiFi service was introduced in the train, thus making it the only train of Indian Railways to have WiFi facility in a moving train. And finally on 23 December 2017, the train was upgraded to the Swarna Standards of Indian Railways, laced with modern amenities and facilities for the passengers.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Speech of Shri Lalu Prasad - Introducing the Railway Budget for 2006-07 | date=2006-02-24 | url=http://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/2006-07.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320024715/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/2006-07.pdf | archive-date=2014-03-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Wi-Fi, internet facility in Howrah Rajdhani launched|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/wi-fi-internet-facility-in-howrah-rajdhani-launched/articleshow/19345676.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2021-06-17}}</ref>

== Schedule and route details ==
The 12301/12302 Howrah – New Delhi Rajdhani Express follows the [[Grand Chord|Dhanbad – Gaya Grand Chord]] route as part of its journey between Delhi and Howrah. The 12301 Howrah – New Delhi Rajdhani Express operates daily except on Sundays, while the returning train, 12302 New Delhi – Howrah Rajdhani Express, does not run on Fridays. On these specific days, the Howrah – New Delhi Rajdhani service is provided by the [[Howrah–New Delhi Rajdhani Express (via Patna)|12305/12306 Howrah – New Delhi Rajdhani Express]], which travels via the [[Asansol]] – [[Jasidih]] – [[Patna]] route to connect Delhi and Howrah.<ref>{{Cite web |title=12302/New Delhi - Howrah Rajdhani Express (Via Gaya) - New Delhi to Howrah ER/Eastern Zone - Railway Enquiry |url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/-train-new-delhi-howrah-rajdhani-express-via-gaya-12302/1317/664/1 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=indiarailinfo.com}}</ref>
[[File:HWH WAP7 hauling 02302 NDLS-HWH Rajdhani Special.jpg|thumb|Howrah Rajdhani Express, hauled by the [[Indian locomotive class WAP-7|WAP-7 electric locomotive]]]]
The Rajdhani Express bound for New Delhi (train number 12301) departs from Howrah Railway Station at 16:50 hrs and reaches New Delhi at 10:05 hrs the following day, covering a distance of 1452 km in 17 hours and 15 minutes, achieving an average speed of 84 km/h. On the return journey, the New Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express (train number 12302) departs from New Delhi at 16:50 hrs and arrives in Howrah at 09:55 hrs the next day, completing its journey in 17 hours and 5 minutes, with an average speed of 85 km/h.<ref>{{Cite web |title=12302/New Delhi - Howrah Rajdhani Express (Via Gaya) - New Delhi to Howrah ER/Eastern Zone - Railway Enquiry |url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/-train-new-delhi-howrah-rajdhani-express-via-gaya-12302/1317/664/1 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=indiarailinfo.com}}</ref>

==Route and halts==
The Important halts of the train are :

• [[Howrah railway station|Howrah Junction]]

• [[Asansol Junction railway station|Asansol Junction]]

• [[Dhanbad Junction railway station|Dhanbad Junction]]

• [[Parasnath railway station|Parasnath]]

• [[Gaya Junction railway station|Gaya Junction]]

• [[Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction]]

• [[Subedarganj railway station|Subedarganj]]

• [[Kanpur Central railway station|Kanpur Central]]

• [[New Delhi railway station|New Delhi]]

== Traction ==
Earlier during first run was [[WDM-2]] then [[WAP-4]] in the 60s. As the entire route is fully electrified it is hauled by a [[Electric Loco Shed, Howrah|Howrah Loco Shed]]-based [[WAP-7]] and [[WAP-5]] electric locomotive from [[Howrah railway station|Howrah Junction]] to [[New Delhi railway station|New Delhi]] and vice versa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=12302/New Delhi - Howrah Rajdhani Express (Via Gaya) - New Delhi to Howrah ER/Eastern Zone - Railway Enquiry |url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/-train-new-delhi-howrah-rajdhani-express-via-gaya-12302/1317/664/1 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=indiarailinfo.com}}</ref>

== Rake sharing ==
The train is rake sharing with 12305/12306 [[Howrah–New Delhi Rajdhani Express (via Patna)]].

==See also==

* [[Express trains in India]]
* [[Howrah–Delhi main line]]
* [[Sealdah Rajdhani Express]]
* [[New Delhi railway station]]
* [[Howrah railway station]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121021173258/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-02-17/india/27800214_1_fastest-train-delhi-agra-stretch-travel-time Times of India article]
{{Rajdhani Express}}
{{Railways in Eastern India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express}}
[[Category:Trains from Howrah railway station]]
[[Category:Delhi–Kolkata trains]]
[[Category:Rajdhani Express trains]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Jharkhand]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Bihar]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 1969]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Delhi]]
[[Category:Rail transport in West Bengal]]

Howrah New Delhi Rajdhani Express via Gaya - Revision history

RajveerSingha1950 at 20:35, 3 May 2026