How did Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto Express get their names? Know here

Most of the trains that run for long-distance travel are named after the destination

The Indian Railways is often referred to as the country's lifeline, and rightfully so. Every day, thousands of trains run across the country, serving both daily commuters and occasional passengers. When we think of long-distance travel, we immediately think of trains, most of which are named for the destination.

The Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, and Duronto Express, on the other hand, defy that rule and stand out from other long-distance trains due to their speed and amenities. Have you ever wondered how these trains earned their names? We will explain what their names mean and what distinguishes them from other trains.

Rajdhani Express

It is one of the best trains in India. It connects the capitals of various states from Delhi, hence the name Rajdhani Express. Rajdhani in Hindi means "capital." Rajdhani stands for capital in Hindi. The entire train is air-conditioned and food is included in the fare. Its maximum speed is 140 kilometres per hour. If ever multiple trains have to be taken out on the same track, the Rajdhani Express is always prioritised.

Shatabdi Express

Rajdhani is a premium train that travels thousands of kilometres, whereas Shatabdi only covers between 400 and 800 kilometres. The entire train is a chair car.

It was inaugurated on the 100th birthday of India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1989, hence the name Shatabdi Express, with Shatabdi standing for a century. It has the same amenities as the Rajdhani Express and has a maximum speed of 160 kilometres per hour.

Duronto Express

Duronto is a Bengali term that means "uninterrupted," and it is so-called because the train stops at the fewest number of stations while crossing long distances in only a brief span of time. It runs at a maximum speed of 140 kilometres per hour. Only in exceptional situations does Duronto run every day. Generally, it runs only two or three days a week.

Apart from these trains, Indian Railways normally names them by specifying the train's endpoints and the class designation, such as Bangalore-Chennai Mail, Purna-Hyderabad Passenger, Chennai-Jaipur Express, Howrah-Mumbai Mail, and so on.