Mamata Di’s Duronto Express. Review on Duronto Express

The Unbridle Express in India Leaves Everyone Beyond Competition

I was never keen on traveling through trains after the rise of cheap air-fares that are easily available with reasonable amount of comfort and money. But when you are traveling with your family on a vacation you are seldom left with your choice being executed. While I was coming back from Delhi after our tedious tour of Delhi-Agra-Haridwar-Shimla-Kulu & Manali, I was told that the stupendous journey would receive a closing ceremony with the travel-back experience in the fastest luxury train launched by our very own Mamata Banerjee, the current Railway Minister of India. My mom was earlier persistent on buying the tickets of Duronto Express as she felt the vacation should end with a vacation mood and can be only acquired in a comfortable overnight train journey. How I wish I could tell her, that mood can be retained by getting back faster to home and lying down on bed.

We reached the Delhi station quite early and I regret to say, it looked worst than Sealdah station in Kolkata. The capital city’s station was scattered with dirt, no electricity, so over crowded that people had to bump each other every now and then to reach their platform. It was a pity to see such a disorganized place where so many pay their visits. Thankfully Mamata di’s train arrived much earlier than the expected time in the station’s platform and we got in with much ease. The Duronto Express from Delhi to Kolkata arrives at Sealdah twice a week, Friday and Monday. However, you can avail the train from Kolkata on Sunday and Thursday in a week.

The first impression was good; it seemed cleaner and well maintained than Delhi-Rajdhani to me, right from the windows to the floors they were spick-and-span.

There were proper provisions for keeping luggage, enough lights, charger/connection facility and the AC working perfectly (essentially the most important thing). Another most important criterion for me had been always the wash-room facilities. I had been always finicky about the train toilets; even the famous Rajdhani didn’t impress me here. But to my amazement, these were not only prim and proper with upgraded technological devices; also the cleanliness of the toilets had been thoroughly maintained all through the journey. Right from having telephone showers to toilet flashes, it was equipped with all upgraded fittings. I loved the way the flash worked in them. Instead of plain water, they arranged to fill the cisterns with soap water and thereby, after every flash a soothing aroma pertained inside replacing those earlier smelly ones.

As soon as the train started moving without delaying from its departure time, you would be served with water, pillows, towels, bedsheets and a blanket that appeared pretty hygienic to use. After sometimes, as the train paced up, you would be suddenly exposed to a marathon of eatables, served to you at an interval which was not enough for digestion. In one evening, you would be facing with simultaneous and luxurious eatables. Starting with soup and breadstick and other spices to add, our lavish eating session began, followed by evening snacks that included sandwiches, samosas, sweets, a Frooti and tea. By 8 p.m sharp you would be served the dinner, whether you have the appetite or not. Again sumptuous and good meal, in terms of quantity and quality both; infact, the parathas tasted homely-made ones. It was more than adequate meal for any adult which definitely stands as good news. For AC-II, the menu list offered varieties and not fixated to what they provided to passengers at AC-III (apart from veg/non-veg options).

Post dinner, began a rigorous cleaning of removing leftovers and dirty plates, the floors, spraying a room freshener all over to avoid any stinking smell to cause discomfort. However, now that everything was done I was left to do with only one thing, which was to have a sound sleep. I drew the curtains even provided for AC-III coaches and made an exclusive room-like cozy place to have the best of sleeps in the entire tour.

Our next day began with bed-tea served followed by a heavy breakfast that would satisfy your taste buds and fill your stomach too till you reach your destination station Sealdah by 12.25 p.m without any complain. The overall time consumed in the journey was 16hrs 30 mins which was 1hr 30 mins lesser than Rajdhani. The advantage of this Express remained that there were no commercial stoppages to stop. The train halted at 3 stations, only for its technical reasons; otherwise it’s a smooth journey. In spite of being so competitive and advanced compared to Rajdhanis, Duronto Express is reasonable in its pricing too. For AC-III, per person ticket to Delhi will cost you 1, 335/-, 200/- lesser than Rajdhani Express.

Our Rail Minister announced that there would be 12 more trains running across the metros of India, to enhance luxury for business class with time saving factor, however, did not serve the crowds hovering over domestic aeroplanes; but successfully attracted the travelers in vacation mood. And since I happen to love such a relaxing and laid back journeys I would surely cast my vote for Duronto Express for my next vacation too.

Mamata Di ki Jai Ho!