There is strong demand for the connectivity between Durg & LKO, and there was a survey about a decade back which gave an indication of good traffic. But at that time GRs were hot cake and one was introduced between LKO & R. There had been persistant demand to extend it by just 40 kms to Durg, but it could not materialise for reasons best known to IR. This train fulfills the demand in a much better way than GR (being SF train with all the classes).
A few suggestions are there to make this train much more useful and successful.
Route...
more... it via USL instead of BSP to save time in loco reversal as well as a little bit of distance.
Delay the departure from LKO by 3 hours i.e. 17:05 so as to reach USL at 6:00 hrs and Durg at 9:00
A stop at Bhilai Power house may be useful as many UP/Bihar bound paxs prefer this station from Durg-Bhilai metropolitan area.(however It is optional)