Despite poor response, rlys to inaugurate third Duranto

The third Duranto Express — a non-stop train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad — will be inaugurated on Thursday by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.

The third Duranto Express — a non-stop train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad — will be inaugurated on Thursday by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.

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The Duranto will shorten the journey by an hour and 15 minute, covering the distance in 6 hours 45 minute. It will depart from Mumbai thrice a week at 11.15 pm and will be fully air conditioned (AC).

Sources said an AC three-tier ticket on the Duranto will cost Rs 490. In comparison, fare for an AC chair car ticket on the Shatabdi Express is Rs 635.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee introduced the Duranto Express to facilitate faster connectivity between important cities. Although the third Duranto is now on track, sources say the first two Duranto trains — the Mumbai-Howrah and Mumbai-Nagpur — are yet to become popular.

The first Duranto Express, which covered the distance between Mumbai and Howrah in 30 hours, was inaugurated on September 28. Sources say the number of average passengers on the train is around 900. “Since it is a long distance train, its demand, as compared to the Mumbai-Nagpur Duranto, is less,” said a railway official on condition of anonymity.

However, Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer S. Mudgerikar said: “Both the Duranto trains are running at full capacity with an average of 1,000 commuters.” The Mumbai-Nagpur Duranto Express has received a better response.