The much-awaited Visakhapatnam – Secunderabad tri-weekly Duronto Express began its maiden run from here on Thursday night. The berths in I AC, II AC, and III AC were fully booked on the first day. The Waiting List for July 15 was I AC – 4, II AC – 20, and III AC – 71 as on Thursday. Berths are available for July 17.
Train No. 22204 Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam tri-weekly AC Duronto Express will leave Secunderabad at 20.30 hrs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and arrives at Visakhapatnam at 06.05 hrs the next day.
In the return direction, Train No. 22203 tri-weekly AC Duronto Express will leave Visakhapatnam at 22.35 hrs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and reaches Secunderabad at 08.00 hrs the next day.
The fares from Visakhapatnam to Secunderabad are: Rs.2,150 (I AC), Rs.1,195 (II AC), and Rs.745 (III AC). The non-stop train will cover the distance of 701 km in 9 hours and 25 minutes, making it the fastest train between the two cities.
It may be recalled that the Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Duronto was announced in the 2011 Budget and was supposed to have been introduced much before April this year.
Meanwhile, some passengers alleged that food was not being served on the train though the cost was collected along with the fare.
