Talks are already going on in this website about LHB-iasation of HWH RNC Shatabdi Exp & subsequently allotting the ICF Rake to HWH-NJP Proposed Shatabdi.I have two questions:-
(i)Will the Shatabdi Run full?I think not many people of the region,through which the Shatabdi is expected to run,can afford a Costly Ride of Shatabdi.
(ii)Is it really possible to Run a Shatabdi b/w 567 km within 16-17 Hrs including the Return trip,where it'll be hauled by a Diesel Engine & the route b/w NFK & SNT,has lot of Engineering Problems,Presently the fastest Darjeeling Mail...
more... takes almost 3.25 Hrs to cover 180 km MLDT-BHP,with Avg Speed lesser than 60 kmph.
Max permissible time schedule can be
NJP-06.00
KNE-07.08,07.10
MLDT-09.25,09.30
NFK-10.03,10.05
PKR-10.51,10.53
RPH-11.55,11.57
BHP-12.55,12.57
BWN-13.46,13.48
HWH-15.10
Return::-
HWH-15.40
BWN-16.43,16.45
BHP-17.27,17.29
RPH-18.25,18.27
PKR-19.18,19.19
NFK-20.05,20.07
MLDT-20.45,20.50
KNE-22.45,22.47
NJP-00.15(??)
I cant think a faster Shatabdi in this route.Is it permissible to reach NJP such an Odd Hrs...Then the occupancy is surely going to be far lesser.
Also there are frequent RRI work going on b/w Bonidanga-Gumani...That will make the Shatabdi diverted via AZ for those days,which will delay it further.Regular Blocks are taken by KIR division also(b/w MFA-RNI) in DayTime,when the movement is lesser of M/E Trains.Is the Shatabdi going to be a reality?