Second Duronto express launched; Chennai-Delhi trip in 27 hrs

The country's second Duronto Express (DE) a non-stop point service between Chennai Central and Delhi, covering 2,177km, was launched here today by the Southern railway.

To cover the entire distance the train takes even less time than the famed Rajdhani Express - 27 hours and 55 minutes compared to 28 hours and 10 minutes.
 
The coaches in DE are fit for a speed of 130kmph against 110kmph for conventional mail and express trains.
 
"As and when the Chennai-New Delhi track gets upgraded, the speed of DE will also be increased, further saving the journey time by about two hours", Southern railway general manager MS Jayanth said during the flagging off ceremony of the 'Chennai Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin' DE at the Central railway station.
 
Dwelling on its unique features, not available now in conventional trains, he said the body shells of coaches are made of stainless steel, resulting in a tare weight reduction
of two tonnes, enabling higher speeds up to 130kmph.
 
This also reduces corrosion repairs and maintenance costs. "The exterior of the coach has been provided with high quality vinyl wrap with an artistic design, which has been designed by the railway minister Mamata Banerjee herself." he added.