Chennai - Trivandrum Super AC Express (Previously Chennai - Trivandrum Duronto Express)

UPDATE: The Duronto Express has been converted into a Super AC Express with stops at Ernakulam Junction (South), Aleppey and Kollam. The schedule remains the same- bi-weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays from Chennai Central. Arrival in Trivandrum Central at 05:45 instead of 05:15 earlier. 

Original article below:

Good news for those from Southern Kerala. Chennai to Trivandrum Duronto Express is fully functional and running bi-weekly. The service started on December 15th, 2012.

Since this is a non-stop train, no bookings can be made to and from any stations other than Chennai Central and Trivandrum Central, which makes it virtually useless for many North and upper central Keralites. However, there are 4 technical haltings (Katpadi, Erode, Palakkad Junction and Ernakulam South) during the journey.The total duration of the journey is 12 hours and 45 minutes, which is about 3 hours less than what the popular Chennai/Trivandrum mail takes. 

The Duronto Express runs through Alappuzha-Cherthala and not through Kottayam. The technical haltings in Palakkad Junction and Ernakulam Junction (Ernakulam South) are of 7 min and 15 min duration.

Halting at Ernakulam Junction (South) :

Time : 02:00 (Day 2) for 22207

Time : 00:13 (Day 2) for 22208

Recently, Trivandrum edition of Sunday Times reported that passengers recount harrowing experience in Duronto Express after they were encountered with crawling pests out of some coaches. It is also mentioned that there is a shortage of coaches and coaches from Garib Rath elsewhere were refurbished and brought to Chennai to run Duronto trains. 

Duronto Express Coach - Inside

I have travelled in a Duronto from Mumbai to Ernakulam in July 2011 and had a very good experience. Its absolutely easy to book a ticket and the food (included with the price) was very good too. Most importantly, the coaches were clean, opulent and spacious with the windows twice larger than the ones we usually find in other trains, thus enabling the passengers with a very good view of the outside. As my cousin pointed out, if maintained properly, 'The Duronto Idea' could hit the airline companies very hard.

Mumbai LTT - Ernakulam South Duronto Express

Duration : 20 hours 50 minutes

Technical Halts in Kerala : Kozhikkode Main for 5 minutes

Halting at Kozhikode Main :

Time : 14:00 for 12223
Time : 00:55 for 12224