>ItsSkV08 at 05:28, 1 July 2021

2021-07-01T05:28:02Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Howrah Rajdhani Express
| image= File:Howrah rajdhani exp.jpg
| caption = Howrah Rajdhani Express trainboard
| type = [[Rajdhani Express]]
| status =
| locale = [[Delhi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Bihar]], [[Jharkhand]] & [[West Bengal]]
| first = {{Start date and age|1 March 1969}}<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=[[Government of India]], [[Ministry of Railways (India)|Ministry of Railways]]}}</ref> from New Delhi and the first journey from Howrah was on March 3. <ref>https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/railways-golden-girl-50-years-of-the-rajdhani/story-YycT0iir0GObqjuCUqrhKL.html</ref>
| last =
| operator = [[Eastern Railway Zone|Eastern Railways]]
| ridership =
| start = [[New Delhi Railway Station|New Delhi]] '''(NDLS)'''
| stops = 8
| end = [[Howrah Junction|Howrah]] '''(HWH)'''
| distance = {{convert|1451|km|0|abbr=on}} (via {{rws|Gaya Junction}}) <br /> {{convert|1530|km|0|abbr=on}} (via {{rws|Patna Junction}})
| journeytime = 17 hrs 10 mins (for 12301/12302) <br /> 19hrs 55 mins (for 12305/12306)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/1316|title=HWH - NDLS 12301}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/1318|title= HWH - NDLS 12305}}</ref>
| frequency = 6 days (via Gaya) <br /> Sunday (via Patna)
| class = AC 1st Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier
| seating = Yes
| sleeping = Yes
| autorack =
| catering = Available (included in the ticket fare)
| observation = Large Windows
| entertainment = Onboard WiFi Service
| baggage = Available
| otherfacilities=
| stock = [[LHB Coaches]]
| gauge = {{RailGauge|1676mm|lk=on}}
| el =
| trainnumber = 12301/12302 (via Gaya) <br /> 12305/12306 (via Patna)
| speed = {{plainlist|{{convert|86|km/h|abbr=on}} average including halts (for 12301/12302)
{{convert|79|km/h|abbr=on}} average including halts (for 12305/12306)
}}
| map = [[File:(New Delhi - Howrah) Rajdhani Express (via Gaya) Route map.png|300px]]
| map_state =
}}

'''Howrah Rajdhani Express''' (also known as '''Kolkata Rajdhani Express''') is a Rajdhani class train of Indian Railways connects the capital of [[West Bengal]], [[Kolkata]] to the National Capital of India, [[New Delhi]] through [[Howrah]]. The Howrah Rajdhani is the first [[Rajdhani Express]] of India and is one of the fastest train of Indian Railways. It is the second fastest connection to Kolkata after [[Sealdah–Bikaner Duronto Express]] (erstwhile Sealdah - New Delhi Duronto Express).

== History ==
{{unsourced section|date=June 2021}}
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>https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1965-66.pdf</ref><ref>https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1967-68_final.pdf</ref>

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/hr 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 the 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}}</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|language=en}}</ref><ref>https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1968-69.pdf</ref>

On 1 November 1971 the speed was upgraded to 130 km/hr, thus reducing the time of journey by 25 min from both the 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 1 August 1993 another service via [[Patna Junction railway station]] was also introduced from [[Howrah railway station|Howrah]] on Sunday and from [[New Delhi railway station|New Delhi]] on Friday respectively. <ref>https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1992-93.pdf</ref><ref>https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1993-94.pdf</ref>

On 3 February 2006, both the pairs of Howrah Rajdhani Express were upgraded to the [[LHB coaches]], 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>http://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/2006-07.pdf</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>

==See also==

* [[Express trains in India]]
* [[List of named passenger trains of India]]
* [[Howrah–Delhi main line]]
* [[Sealdah Rajdhani Express]]

==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}}
{{Railway lines in Eastern India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Howrah - New Delhi Rajdhani Express}}
[[Category:Trains from Howrah Junction 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]]

Howrah Rajdhani Express - Revision history

>ItsSkV08 at 05:28, 1 July 2021