CSMT-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Marks 7 Years, Central Railway Celebrates with Passengers and Staff
Mumbai, 19th January 2026: Central Railway (CR) on Sunday marked the seventh anniversary of the CSMT–Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express by celebrating the occasion with passengers, railfans, train crew, coaching depot staff and railway employees.
The 22221/22222 Rajdhani Express was introduced on January 19, 2019, connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai, with Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi. At the time of its launch, the train comprised one First AC coach, three AC 2-Tier coaches, eight AC 3-Tier coaches and a pantry car. Owing to high passenger demand, the rake was augmented within a month to one First AC, five AC 2-Tier, twelve AC 3-Tier coaches and a pantry car.
Initially introduced as a bi-weekly service, the frequency was increased to four services per week from September 13, 2019. From its second anniversary on January 19, 2021, the Rajdhani Express was upgraded to a daily service.
The train holds the distinction of being India’s first to operate on Push-Pull technology under Indian Railways’ “Mission Raftar.” In this configuration, locomotives are placed at both the front and rear of the train, eliminating the need for banker engines in ghat sections. This operational arrangement helps save time and reduce overall journey duration.
At present, the Rajdhani Express departs from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus at 16.00 hrs daily and reaches Hazrat Nizamuddin at 09.55 hrs the following day. The train halts at Kalyan, Nashik Road, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Bhopal, Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi, Gwalior and Agra Cantt en route. In the return direction, it leaves Hazrat Nizamuddin at 16.55 hrs daily and arrives at CSMT at 11.15 hrs the next day.
According to Central Railway, the service has improved connectivity between Mumbai, its suburban region, and key cities such as Nashik, Jalgaon and Bhusaval with the national capital.
