- Route
- Multiple long-distance routes across India
- Speed
- Up to 130 km/h on applicable services and sections
- Train type
- Long-Distance Superfast Express
- Introduced
- 2009
Duronto Express was introduced by Indian Railways in September 2009 as a new category of fast long-distance passenger train.
The first Duronto Express operated between Sealdah and New Delhi on 18 September 2009. At launch, Indian Railways described Duronto as its first major class of non-stop point-to-point passenger services.
The term Duronto comes from Bengali and conveys the idea of being fast or restless.
The original concept differed from ordinary express trains because passengers generally travelled from the origin to destination without normal intermediate commercial stops, although operational and technical halts could still occur.
Over time, Duronto services were introduced on multiple routes connecting major metropolitan areas and state capitals.
Some Duronto services are fully air-conditioned, while others have historically included both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned accommodation.
Indian Railways documentation has grouped applicable Duronto trains among premium services with maximum permissible speeds of up to 130 km/h. Actual speeds vary significantly according to route and individual train configuration.
Although the stopping patterns of individual Duronto services have evolved over time, the category remains associated with fast long-distance travel between major Indian cities.