Rajdhani Express

Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Indian English Template:Infobox rail service The Rajdhani Express (Template:Lit) is a series of passenger train services in India operated by Indian Railways connecting the national capital New Delhi with the capitals or the largest cities of various states. The Sanskrit word Rajdhani means "capital". Introduced in 1969, the trains are amongst the premium services operated by Indian Railways and regularly get a higher priority on the railway network.

History

In 1960, the Railway Board of India commissioned a study to increase the speed of its trains, which was restricted to Template:Cvt on the existent broad gauge lines.<ref name="HT">Template:Cite news</ref> A target of Template:Cvt with an intermediate stage of Template:Cvt was set for passenger trains. Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) started work on the same in 1962 with field trials commencing in 1967.<ref name="HT"/> The coaches were manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory at Madras and hauled by diesel locomotives.<ref name="HT"/>

File:Guard giving green signal to start inaugural Rajdhani from Howrah to New Delhi.jpg

Guard S. O. Levi giving the green signal to start the journey of Rajdhani express on 3 March 1969 from Howrah<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 19 February 1969, the Government of India introduced a new express train capable of reaching speeds of up to Template:Cvt as announced in the railway budget.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> On 1 March 1969, the first Rajdhani Express with nine coaches was flagged off from New Delhi to Howrah with the return journey commencing on 3 March.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The train completed the Template:Cvt trip in 17 hours 20 minutes and was the only such train in operation till 1972, when the second Rajdhani was introduced from Mumbai.<ref name="HT"/>

Rajdhani, derived from the Sanskrit means "capital" and later, with subsequent up-gradation of the tracks, new Rajdhani expresses were introduced connecting major cities with the capital New Delhi.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Rake

Rajdhani trains have fully air-conditioned coaches that have to be reserved in advance. While the trains initially had chair car coaches, now the trains exclusively have sleeper coaches in three configurations: first class, two-tier and three-tier.<ref name="HT"/> The first class has dedicated coupes, two-tier has open bays containing six berths per bay (four berths in two tiers and two on the side of the aisle) with curtains and three-tier has open bays containing eight berths per bay (six berths in two tiers and two berths on the side of the aisle).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The coaches were exclusively manufactured by Integral Coach Factory at Chennai till 2006, when LHB coaches manufactured by Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala were introduced.<ref name="HT"/> Template:As of, each train-set costs Template:INRconvert.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> While the trains are capable of running at higher speeds, the maximum speed is often limited to Template:Cvt with the fastest Rajdhani permitted to reach a maximum speed of Template:Cvt and average speeds being much lesser due to traffic congestion and lack of supporting tracks.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Rajdhani express trains are usually hauled by WAP-7 electric locomotives.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Tejas-Rajdhani express

In July 2021, Indian railways started upgrading the coaches of Rajdhani express to new Tejas coaches with enhanced features.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> These coaches are equipped with newer air suspensions, bio-toilets, Wi-Fi, fire alarms, CCTVs, reading lights, dedicated power sockets, automatic doors, passenger information system, improved interior and designed exterior.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> The trains which are equipped with all new coaches are known as "Tejas Rajdhani" express.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> Indian Railways plans to introduce Tejas coaches across all Rajdhani trains in a phased manner.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Facilities

The trains are amongst the premium services operated by Indian Railways and regularly gets a higher priority on the railway network.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Passengers are served optional meals by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the menu of which could include morning tea, breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner depending on the duration and timing.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> These trains have fewer halts than other express trains with stoppages only at prominent stations. Dynamic pricing is applicable on fares across all Rajdhani trains.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Services

As of 13 September, 2025, there are currently 26 operational pairs (excluding special services) of Rajdhani Express, including seven with Tejas rakes:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:Tool tip	Train name	Template:Tool tip	Rake	Origin station	Terminal station	Zone	Halts	Template:Tool tip	Distance	Travel time	Speed		Inaugural run	Template:Tool tip
											Template:Tool tip	Template:Tool tip
1	Howrah Rajdhani Express (via Gaya)	12301/ 12302	LHB	Howrah	New Delhi	ER	7	6 days/wk	Template:Cvt	17h 15m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	3 March 1969	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2	Mumbai Tejas Rajdhani Express	12951/ 12952	Tejas	Mumbai Central	New Delhi	WR	6	Daily	Template:Cvt	15h 32m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	17 May 1972	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
3	August Kranti Tejas Rajdhani Express	12953/ 12954	Tejas	Mumbai Central	Hazrat Nizamuddin	WR	10	Daily	Template:Cvt	16h 33m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	1 January 1992	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
4	Bangalore Rajdhani Express	22691/ 22692	LHB	KSR Bengaluru	Hazrat Nizamuddin	SWR	13	Daily	Template:Cvt	33h 30m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	1 November 1992	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
5	Thiruvananthapuram Rajdhani Express	12431/ 12432	LHB	Thiruvananthapuram Central	Hazrat Nizamuddin	NR	19	Tri-weekly	Template:Cvt	41h 15m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	3 July 1993	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
6	Chennai Rajdhani Express	12433/ 12434	LHB	MGR Chennai Central	Hazrat Nizamuddin	NR	8	Bi-weekly	Template:Cvt	28h 25m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	3 July 1993	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
7	Howrah Rajdhani Express (via Patna)	12305/ 12306	LHB	Howrah	New Delhi	ER	7	Weekly	Template:Cvt	20h 00m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	3 July 1993	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
8	Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express (via Adra)	22811/ 22812	Tejas	Bhubaneswar	New Delhi	ECoR	13	Bi-weekly	Template:Cvt	23h 20m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	1 April 1994	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
9	Bhubaneswar Tejas Rajdhani Express (via Tatanagar)	22824/ 22823	Tejas	Bhubaneswar	New Delhi	ECoR	13	4 days/wk	Template:Cvt	24h 30m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	1 April 1994	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
10	Dibrugarh - New Delhi Rajdhani Express	12423/ 12424	LHB	Dibrugarh	New Delhi	NR	9	Daily	Template:Cvt	37h 55m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	6 July 1994	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
11	Jammu Tawi Rajdhani Express	12425/ 12426	LHB	Jammu Tawi	New Delhi	NR	3	Daily	Template:Cvt	8h 20m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	10 July 1994	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
12	Patna Tejas Rajdhani Express	12309/ 12310	Tejas	Rajendra Nagar Terminal	New Delhi	ECR	4	Daily	Template:Cvt	12h 30m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	1 September 1996	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
13	Swarna Jayanti Rajdhani Express	12957/ 12958	LHB	Sabarmati Jn.	New Delhi	WR	9	Daily	Template:Cvt	12h 10m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	1 January 1998	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
14	Secunderabad Rajdhani Express	12437/ 12438	LHB	Secunderabad Jn.	Hazrat Nizamuddin	NR	5	Weekly	Template:Cvt	21h 40m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	21 January 1998	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
15	Diburgarh Rajdhani Express (via Bogibeel)	20505/ 20506	LHB	Dibrugarh	New Delhi	NFR	23	Bi-weekly	Template:Cvt	39h 38m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	11 January 1999	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
16	Sealdah Rajdhani Express	12313/ 12314	LHB	Sealdah	New Delhi	ER	6	Daily	Template:Cvt	18h 00m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	1 July 2000	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
17	Ranchi Rajdhani Express (via Bokaro)	20839/ 20840	LHB	Ranchi	New Delhi	SER	6	Bi-weekly	Template:Cvt	17h 00m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	17 October 2001	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
18	Bilaspur Rajdhani Express	12441/ 12442	LHB	Bilaspur Jn.	New Delhi	NR	8	Bi-weekly	Template:Cvt	20h 40m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	28 October 2001	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
19	Ranchi Rajdhani Express (via Japla)	20407/ 20408	LHB	Ranchi	New Delhi	NR	6	Weekly	Template:Cvt	16h 45m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	11 June 2006	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
20	Ranchi Rajdhani Express (via Chopan)	12453/ 12454	LHB	Ranchi	New Delhi	NR	7	Weekly	Template:Cvt	17h 55m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	11 June 2006	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
21	Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express (via Moranhat)	20504/ 20503	LHB	Dibrugarh	New Delhi	NFR	22	5 days/wk	Template:Cvt	41h 15m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	6 March 2010	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
22	Madgaon Rajdhani Express	22414/ 22413	LHB	Madgaon Jn.	Hazrat Nizamuddin	NR	9	Bi-weekly	Template:Cvt	24h 54m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	20 November 2015	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
23	Agartala Tejas Rajdhani Express	20501/ 20502	Tejas	Agartala	Anand Vihar Terminal	NFR	14	Weekly	Template:Cvt	43h 15m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	28 October 2017	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
24	Bhubaneswar Tejas Rajdhani Express (via Sambalpur)	20817/ 20818	Tejas	Bhubaneswar	New Delhi	ECoR	14	Weekly	Template:Cvt	26h 40m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	10 February 2018	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
25	Mumbai CSMT Rajdhani Express	22221/ 22222	LHB	Mumbai CSMT	Hazrat Nizamuddin	CR	8	Daily	Template:Cvt	17h 55m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	19 January 2019	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
26	Sairang Rajdhani Express	20507/ 20508	LHB	Sairang (Aizawl, Mizoram)	Anand Vihar Terminal	NFR	18	Weekly	Template:Cvt	42h 15m	Template:Cvt	Template:Cvt	13 September 2025	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Trivia

• The Bilaspur Rajdhani Express is the First Rajdhani Express in India that undergoes loco reversal, which happens at Nagpur Junction railway station.
• The First Rajdhani Express to operate from Anand Vihar Terminal railway station is Agartala Tejas Rajdhani Express.
• Anand Vihar Terminal railway station to get its Second Rajdhani Express, the 20507/20508 Mizoram Rajdhani Express. This will also be the Second Rajdhani Express in India that will undergo loco reversal, which will happen at Badarpur Railway Station at Assam.
• 12301/12302 Howrah Rajdhani used to take 16 hrs 50 mins to cover the Template:Convert distance running at Template:Convert speed in period from 2006-2016. The train was slowed down by 20 mins due to safety and operational reasons.
• 12951/52 Mumbai Rajdhani is the First Rajdhani Express in India which received LHB coach in late 2003.
• Only Kolkata, Mumbai, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Dibrugarh currently has 3 pairs of End to End (E2E) Rajdhani Express Service.

Gallery

Ahmedabad - New Delhi Rajdhani Express

Secunderabad–Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express with a WAP-7 at Moula Ali

Accidents and incidents

• On 9 September 2002, At least 140 people were killed when the Howrah–New Delhi Rajdhani Express derailed near Rafiganj, Bihar due to sabotage by Naxalites.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• On 27 October 2009, Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express was hijacked by hundreds of armed activists of the Maoist-backed People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) who forced the train to stop at Banshtala near Jhargram in West Midnapore district of West Bengal and demanded the release of Chhatradhar Mahato. The Maoists fled on the arrival of Central Reserve Police Force and all passengers were rescued without any casualties.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• On 18 April 2011, three coaches of Mumbai Rajdhani Express caught fire, including the pantry car 2:20 hrs at Thuriya near Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh. Three coaches were written off but there were no casualties.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• On 25 June 2014, at least four passengers were killed and eight injured when the Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express derailed at Goldin Ganj near Chhapra, Bihar in suspected sabotage by Maoists.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• On 7 September 2017, Ranchi Rajdhani Express derailed at New Delhi railway station and no one was injured in the incident.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• On 14 September 2017, Jammu Tawi Rajdhani Express derailed at the New Delhi railway station when entering the platform and no one was injured.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• On 18 October 2018, two coaches of Thiruvananthapuram Rajdhani Express derailed at the staffed level crossing near Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh when a speeding truck collided with train due to brake failure. There were no injuries to the passengers in the train but the truck driver was killed due to the collision and the train continued the journey after delay of seven hours.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• On 3 April 2019, two coaches of Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express uncoupled on the Kathajodi river bridge near Cuttack in Odisha. The train was halted and there was no casualties.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• On 11 May 2019, a fire broke out at the generator car of Bhubaneswar Rajdhani near Balasore in Odisha. There were no casualties and the train continued its journey after a delay of two hours.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In popular culture

Being one of the most popular trains in India, the train's name featured as a title of a Bollywood movie, Rajdhani Express.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bollywood movie titled The Burning Train featuring Dharmendra, Jeetendra & Vinod Khanna related The Main Theme of the Movie, The Super Express based on Rajdhani Express. Co-incidentally, the 2011 Ratlam incident of the Mumbai Rajdhani Express matched the movie plot of The Burning Train in an eerily manner.