It is the second fastest train after Howrah–New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express in the Howrah – New Jalpaiguri section covering a distance of 561 km (chargeable distance may be different but it is same when it is being written) in a span of about 8 hours.
[3] 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.
This train has LHB coach, providing reclining seats, on-board meals are available and are included in the ticket fare.
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 [1] and speed is less in the rest part and the speed in rest part is same as maximum speed of the route which is 110 kmph over KAN-BDAG (Khana - Beldanga) [2], presently unknown but 100 kmph in 2011 between Beldanga (after Gumani - GMAN) and Malda Town (MLDT)[3] 45 km long part, 110 kmph between Malda Town and New Jalpaiguri which is a part of Guwahati – Malda Town route having 110 kmph sectional speed [4] which will be increased to 130 kmph between Malda Town and New Jalpaiguri by March 2023 [5] The intermediate stations and the stoppage time are as follows-