Howrah–Patna Jan Shatabdi Express

Patna – Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express, with train numbers 12024 and 12023 is a Superfast Express train of the Jan Shatabdi Express series belonging to Indian Railways – East Central Railway zone that runs between Patna Junction and Howrah Junction in India.

Patna – Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express
Overview
Service type	Jan Shatabdi Express
Locale	Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal
First service	November 2003. It replaced Patna - Howrah Shatabdi Express[1][2] which was introduced on 12 Nov 2001
Current operator(s)	East Central Railways (ECR)
Route
Termini	Patna Junction (PNBE) Howrah Junction (HWH)
Stops	14
Distance travelled	532 km (331 mi)
Average journey time	7 hours 40 minutes as 12024, 8 hours 10 minutes as 12023.
Service frequency	Six days a week [a]
Train number(s)	12023 / 12024
On-board services
Class(es)	AC Chair Car, Non AC Chair Car
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	No
Auto-rack arrangements	No
Catering facilities	On-board catering E-catering
Observation facilities	Rake Sharing With 12365/12366 Patna–Ranchi Jan Shatabdi Express
Baggage facilities	Overhead racks
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification	Yes
Operating speed	130 km/h (81 mph) maximum, 67.20 km/h (42 mph) average including halts
Route map Legend 12023 ↓ Howrah Junction Durgapur Asansol Junction West Bengal Jharkhand border Chittaranjan Jamtara Madhupur Junction Jasidih Junction Jharkhand Bihar border Jhajha Jamui Lakhisarai Junction Hathidah Junction Mokama Barh Bakhtiyarpur Junction Patna Sahib 12024 ↑ Patna Junction

It operates as train number 12024 from Patna Junction to Howrah Junction and as train number 12023 in the reverse direction, serving the states of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

History

It replaced a Shatabdi Express from Patna to Howrah (introduced on 12 Nov 2001) due to low patronage of the Shatabdi Express.

The Jan Shatabdi Express train was launched by the former railway minister of India, Nitish Kumar in the 2002-03 Railway Budget.^[1][2]

Coach Composition

12024/12023 Patna - Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express runs with 22 LHB Coaches in the following composition:

• 3 AC Chair Car (CC)
• 17 Second Seating (2S)
• 1 Second Seating Luggage and Brake Van (2S)
• 1 Generator Luggage and Brake Van (EOG)

Patna Howrah Jan Shatabdi is run with two rakes, in a rake sharing arrangement (RSA) with Patna - Ranchi Jan Shatabdi Express and is maintained at the Rajendra Nagar Coaching Centre, located at Rajendra Nagar Terminal.

As is customary with most train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.

Service

The 12024 Patna Junction–Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express covers the distance of 532 km (331 mi) in 7 hours 40 mins (69.39 km/h) and in 8 hours 10 mins as 12023 Howrah–Patna Junction Jan Shatabdi Express (65.14 km/h).

As the average speed of the train is above 55 km/h (34 mph), as per Indian Railways rules, its fare includes a Superfast surcharge.

12024 is 2nd fastest in terms of time(1st being 12306 Howrah Rajdhani Express which takes 7hrs 20 mins from Patna Junction to Howrah Junction) and it takes around 7hrs 40 mins to cover entire journey from Patna to Howrah.

It is also the second fastest of all Jan Shatabdi Express in terms of speeds.

Stops of 12024/23 Patna Jan Shatabdi Express:

• Patna Junction PF5
• Patna Sahib PF1
• Bakhtiyarpur Junction PF1
• Barh PF2
• Mokama Junction PF1
• Hathidah Junction PF1
• Lucckesarai Junction PF2
• Jamui PF2
• Jhajha PF2
• Jasidih Junction PF1
• Madhupur Junction PF3
• Jamtara PF2
• Chittaranjan PF2
• Asansol Junction PF5
• Durgapur PF4
• Howrah Junction PF9

1. Except Sundays

Routeing

The 12024 / 23 Patna Junction–Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express runs from Patna Junction via Mokama Junction, Jamui, Jhajha, Madhupur Junction, Asansol Junction to Howrah Junction.^[3]

Traction

As the entire route is fully electrified, a Gomoh,Samastipur,-based WAP-7 locomotive powers the train for its entire journey.^{[citation needed]}

Operation

• 12023 Howrah–Patna Junction Jan Shatabdi Express runs from Howrah Junction on all days except Sunday arriving Patna Junction the same day.^[3]
• 12024 Patna Junction–Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express runs from Patna Junction on all days except Sunday arriving Howrah Junction the same day.^[4]

Rake sharing

The 12024 / 23 Patna Junction–Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express shares its rake with 12365 / 66 Patna–Ranchi Jan Shatabdi Express.^{[citation needed]}