The 12309 / 12310 Rajendra Nagar Terminal (Patna)-New Delhi Tejas Rajdhani Express is a Rajdhani class train of Indian Railways, that connects the state capital of Bihar, Patna to the national capital of India, Delhi.
History
This Train was originally introduced in the Annual Railway Budget of 1996–97 as a daily Rajdhani Express from New Delhi to Patna via Lucknow. Later it was rerouted to run via Prayagraj. In 1997, the pantry car service was introduced.[1]
On 1 September 2021, the train's LHB Rajdhani Rakes were replaced with LHB Tejas Sleeper Rakes.[2]
Service
It runs daily. It operates as train number 12309 from Rajendra Nagar (Patna) to New Delhi railway station and as train number 12310 in the reverse direction. It covers a distance of 1001 km in each direction, however it takes 12 hours 5 minutes when operating as train number 12310 at an average speed of 83 km/h (including halts). While on its return journey, the train takes 12 h 30 min at an average speed of 80 km/h (including halts) as train number 12309.
Initially, the train used to operate between Patna Junction and New Delhi. However, with an increase in passenger pressure over Patna Junction, Indian Railways decided to construct a new satellite station to Patna Junction, in order to accommodate the growing passenger pressure. Later on with the completion of the construction of the Rajendra Nagar Terminal railway station, the Rajdhani Express was terminated from Patna Junction to here.
