New Jalpaiguri–Howrah Shatabdi Express
The Howrah–New Jalpaiguri Shatabdi Express is a Shatabdi class train of Indian Railways connecting Kolkata and Siliguri, West Bengal's two important cities. It is the fastest train in the Howrah – New Jalpaiguri section covering a distance of 566 km in a span of about 8 hours. Overview. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the then railway minister Mukul Roy flagged it off from New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station on 12 July 2012, though this train was passed in Railway Budget 2012–13 by the then Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi. The train carried nine  AC Chair Cars and one AC Executive Chair Car. The train belongs to the Northeast Frontier Railway zone of Indian Railways. Before the electrification of Jalpaiguri-Howrah stretch, this Shatabdi Express was the fastest Diesel Locomotive hauled train of Indian Railways having its diesel link of class WDP-4, WDP-4B or WDP-4D provided by Siliguri Junction (SGUJ) DLS. On 10 January 2020 the traction of the train was changed to electric and the regular link was changed to class WAP-7 of Howrah Junction (HWH) ELS. Amenities. This train has LHB coaches, providing reclining seats, on-board meals are available and are  included in the ticket fare. On 10 March 2018, it was upgraded to the Swarna Standards of Indian Railways. Route & halts. The intermediate stations and the stoppage time are as follows- Traction. Before the electrification of New Jalpaiguri-Howrah stretch, this Shatabdi Express was the fastest diesel locomotive-hauled train of Indian Railways having its diesel link of class WDP-4, WDP-4B or WDP-4D provided by Siliguri Junction (SGUJ) DLS. On 10 January 2020 the traction of the train was changed to electric and the regular link was changed to class WAP-5 or WAP-7 of Howrah Loco Shed. Speed. Its all  coaches are of air conditioned LHB coaches type which is capable of reaching 160 kmph but it does not touch. Sometimes people become confused because according to Indian Railways Permanent Way Manual (IRPWM) on Indian Railways website or Indian Railway Institute of Civil Engineering website, the BG (Broad Gauge) lines have been classified into six groups ‘A’ to ‘E’ on the basis of the future maximum permissible speeds but it may not be same as present speed. The maximum permissible speed of the train and route is 130 kmph between Howrah and Khana which is about 108 km part via  Dankuni of Howrah - New Delhi route and speed is less in the rest part and the speed in rest part is same as maximum speed of the route which is 105 kmph over Khana-Gumani , presently unknown but 100 kmph in 2011 between Gumani (GMAN) and Malda Town (MLDT), 110 kmph between Malda Town and New Jalpaiguri which is a part of Guwahati – Malda Town route having 110 kmph sectional speed.