19 January,2026 10:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Central Railway’s Rajdhani holds the distinction of being India’s first train to run using Push-Pull technology. Pic/Special Arrangement
Central Railway on Monday celebrated the 7th anniversary of its CSMT-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express, joining passengers, rail enthusiasts, train staff, coaching depot employees and other Central Railway personnel in the event.
An official statement said that the 22221/22222 CSMT-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express was launched on January 19, 2019, running between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai and Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi. The train originally operated with one First AC coach, three AC 2-tier coaches, eight AC 3-tier coaches and a pantry car.
The service received such a strong response that within a month it was expanded to one First AC coach, five AC 2-tier coaches and twelve AC 3-tier coaches, along with the pantry car, it said.
Railfan Amit Phatak who was one of the key activists in getting the CSMT Rajdhani started said that the Rajdhani has been useful to lakhs of commuters.
"Earlier Mumbai Rajdhani only meant the one from Mumbai Central and Central Railway despite being the first railway did not have India's premier Rajdhani Express category train. This is why we fought for it and got it started in 2019," he told mid-day.
"It was a very nostalgic moment celebrating the 7th anniversary of Central Railway's own Rajdhani, which became a reality after many struggles and hard work. This Rajdhani has gone on to become the second fastest Rajdhani of Indian Railways, despite travelling through ghat sections in CR, WCR and NCR. It feels very special to be part of the 7th anniversary celebrations of this most popular Rajdhani of Indian Railways. Today, this train is a perfect tribute to the Mission Raftaar concept coined by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has reduced travel time through the optimum use of technology. The popularity of this train surely calls for a second Rajdhani on this route," said railfan, Sriram Iyer.
Initially the service running twice a week, the train frequency was increased to four times a week from September 13, 2019. From its second anniversary on January 19, 2021, the Rajdhani began operating daily, the statement said on Monday.
Central Railway's Rajdhani holds the distinction of being India's first train to run using Push-Pull technology, under the "Mission Raftar" initiative. In this mode, an engine is attached at both the front and rear of the train, eliminating the need for banker engines on steep sections and saving valuable time, thereby reducing the journey duration.
According to the officials, currently, the train departs CSMT Mumbai at 16:00 hours daily and reaches Hazrat Nizamuddin at 09:55 the following morning. It stops at key stations including Kalyan, Nashik Road, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Bhopal, Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi, Gwalior and Agra Cantt.
On the return journey, it leaves Hazrat Nizamuddin at 16:55 daily and arrives at CSMT Mumbai at 11:15 the next day.
The service has greatly benefited passengers from Mumbai and the surrounding suburban regions, as well as those from Nashik, Jalgaon and Bhusaval. It provides faster and more convenient connectivity to the national capital, officials said.
The iconic Rajdhani Express represents the progress of Indian Railways, offering speed, comfort and reliability while setting benchmarks in operational excellence, the statement said.
(with inputs from Rajendra B. Aklekar)
