Final trial of new Rajdhani postponed to Jan 16-17
MUMBAI: Final trials for new Rajdhani Express which is going to originate from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on January 14 and 15 is now postponed to January 16 and 17. However, the new train is expected to be flagged off on the Republic Day. “The trails are conducted by Research design and standard organization (RDSO) and have postponed the trials by one day. However, by January 21 we expect to get approval from Commissioner of Railway Safety(CRS),” said a senior railway official. The Railways recently announced the introduction of this train which will ply between CSMT and Hazrat Nizamuddin, Delhi, via Nashik Road and Bhusawal station. It will also halt at Thane, Kalyan, Nasik and Bhusawal before entering Madhya Pradesh. The railways have successfully brought down the travel time by 2-2.5 hours by adding an extra locomotive in the Rajdhani that starts from Bandra Terminus. “The new Rajdhani express will have 15 coaches which leave from CSMT at 2.20 pm daily and will reach Delhi on next day at 10.20 am,” said Sunil Udasi, chief PRO of Central Railway. "This will prove to be a boon for thousands of people who have to travel all the way till Mumbai Central along with their luggage. With this diversion, the Rajdhani will barely run 90 km more," said Madhu Kotian, president of Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh. The train will also benefit people from Bhopal and other metro cities.