Duranto Express

Duranto Express

According to agency reports, Railways is planning to abandon the Duranto Express trains as it is not economically viable to run long distance nonstop trains. In India many decisions are taken at Government or Minister level on political or populist considerations without a feasibility study and analyzing the impact of such decisions.  Former railway Minister committed a blunder by introducing Duranto Express for gaining popularity for innovative decision. While nonstop trains may be successful in busy and short distance sectors like Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Kolkata, Chennai-Bangalore, Delhi- Jaipur etc it is not an economical proposition for routes like New Delhi- Ernakulum involving 2 days journey covering a distance of more than 3000 kilometers. While on the onward journey to Ernakulum, it is reasonably occupied as passengers can get down at technical stops at Mangalore, Calicut etc. On the return journey it starts from Ernakulum Junction at 23.30 hrs and runs half empty as it is difficult to go to Ernakulum to board the train and is not possible to board the train on technical stops as halt and berths are not guaranteed. Another feature which makes it less attractive is that despite being nonstop train, its running time is more than that of Rajdhani which stops at several places. For example, while Rajdhani takes only 39 hrs. to Ernakulum from Delhi Duranto takes 42 hours for the same journey i.e.; 3 hours more. This is irrational to say the least.Instead of abandoning the trains, Railways should allow additional stops in these trains so that the trains which started with much fanfare will be beneficial to the passengers and economical to Railways.