Now coming to option number 1 (SDAH Raj). It is rather a different story. This Halt is needed. Higher fare or not, people have started to realize the importance of premiums in longer journey. Courtesy to poor controlling of other trains, measurable foods, premium tatkal etc. Also definitely lesser journey time is a factor. Past few years number of AC pax has considerably increased. So definitely a passenger travelling in AC by Kalka/ Poorva would prefer Rajdhani by paying some extra bucks. SuperFast AC fare, if added to the food price onboard, actually goes very near to Rajdhani/ Duronto fare. Probably that's why Rajdhani/ Duronto get filled up before Kalka/ Poorva.
When we first heard about ongoing discussion over Raj Halt at...
more... BWN, we thought about SDAH Raj. But when we got to know RB was considering about The King,we were rather surprised (apart from being proud). And when the Halt was ultimately given, we realized that we have been given only a spoon full of water where we actually needed a glass of water. However, provided BWN is serving 12305/06 decently, IR can consider this Halt. But not sure whether they would want to provide it. In that case IR can consider Yuva Halt (option 6) as a substitute. And if IR considers breaking its own rule, then Yuva Halt combined with HWH Duronto Halt would definitely become a great substitute to Raj Halt.