Howrah Rajdhani was the first fully air-conditioned train, as well as the first Rajdhani train. It was first operated in the year 1969. At that time, it only had an AC Chair Car seating (A class of seating in Indian railways). Also, it reduced the travel time from Delhi to Howrah (Kolkata) from 24 hours to 17 hours. The train is the 6th fastest in India (according to the data provided in the Indian Railways' Official Website).
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The Rajdhani Express was introduced 3 March 1969 to provide high-speed connections of up to 140 km/h (87 mi/h) (speed varied depending upon the particular track section) from New Delhi, the national capital, to different state capitals. In a few cases, the Rajdhani also ran to other important locations in the state.
Based the popularity of the Howrah Rajdhani, the Sealdah Rajhani line was opened (Sealdah is another railway station in Kolkata).
The trains have high priority on the Indian railway network and are fully air-conditioned. Passengers are provided with complimentary meals during the journey. Depending on the timing of the train, lunch, high tea, dinner, morning tea or breakfast are served. The trains offer three classes of accommodation: First Class AC with 2 or 4 berth lockable bedrooms, Second Class AC 2-tier with open system berths (bays of 4 berths + 2 berths on the side) but provided with curtains for privacy & reading lamps, Second Class AC 3-tier (bays of 6 berths + 2 berths on the side) with privacy curtains in some newer coaches. Interestingly, this Rajdhani boasts of the maximum number of AC 2-Tier coaches among any other train of Indian Railways, with 5 AC 2-tier coaches. Generally it has 2 First AC, 5 AC 2-Tiers, up to 10 AC 3-Tiers ( both of which may be increased according to demand), 2 AC Hot Buffet Cars (i.e. Pantry Cars) & 2 Luggage/Parcel cum Generator cum Brake van one of which is provided with the Guards' cabin.
The train is an important link between Kolkata and New Delhi. It runs near some of the most holy sites in India, including Allahabad, Gaya, and Parasnath. It also connects the financial capital of Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur, to Delhi and Kolkata.
The train follows two routes. The train runs the first route, Grand Chord via Gaya, from Monday through Saturday (from Howrah), and the second route, Howrah-Delhi main line via Patna, on Friday.
The major stops on the first route are:
On this route, the train covers a distance of 1,446 km in 17 hr and 10 min.
The major stops on the second route are:
On this route, the train covers a distance of 1,530 km in 19 hr and 50 min.