Mamata Banerjee’s much-hyped Duronto Express has run intro trouble just days before its official flag-off on September 18. Other than doubts about the quality of the coaches, there are reservations about the term ‘non-stop’ used to describe the new trains.
Some rail employees’ associations, especially the ones affiliated to the CPI(M)’s trade union wing Citu and CPI’s Aituc, said although the coaches were manufactured at the integral coach factory (ICF) in Chennai, most were either leftovers or renovated coaches used in Rajdhanis and Garib Raths.
The unions made an official complaint alleging that since Mamata was in a hurry to flag-off the Duranta Express before the coming Durga Puja, the coach assembly work was done in a hurry, overlooking safety aspect. Indian Railways overruled the apprehensions.
Admitting that the ICF coaches were first used in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Garib Rath trains, Eastern Railway CME H Joshi said the coaches had been certified fit for running by the Northern Railway and Liluah workshops.
Joshi said the break capability of Duranto Express coaches were equal to those used in Rajdhani, which should rule out security apprehensions. The speed of Duranta Express will also match that of Rajdhani, which is 130 kilometers per hour.
The unions also said there was no justification for the term “non-stop” for the express. Though there was no in-between stoppages for passengers, the trains will have three technical stops, they said. For example, Delhi-Kolkata Duranta Express will stop at Kanpur, Mugalsari and Dhanbad.
However, the railways chose to ignore this contention. The Eastern Railways spokesperson said the stoppage time at the technical halts will be minimal and for change of driver, guards and other staff.
