Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: New Delhi - Mumbai Rajdhani Express
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Indian Railways operates many categories of trains including passenger, express, superfast, Shatabdi and Rajdhani services. Questions in general awareness often ask which train is the fastest, based on average running speed between important cities. This question provides four specific trains and asks the candidate to identify which one is recognised as the fastest among them, focusing on well known premium services connecting major destinations.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Rajdhani Express trains are premium long distance trains connecting the national capital with state capitals or major cities and are designed for high average speeds with limited stops. Among the trains listed, the New Delhi Mumbai Rajdhani Express has long been recognised as one of the fastest trains on Indian Railways in terms of average speed. While Shatabdi trains are also fast, they usually cover shorter distances. Therefore the sensible approach is to recall that Rajdhani Express services typically rank above ordinary superfast and many Shatabdi trains in speed lists.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the category of each train. Mumbai Goa is a superfast express, two are Shatabdi Express trains, and one is a Rajdhani Express train.
Step 2: Recall that Rajdhani Express trains are high priority, fully air conditioned and have high average speeds over long distances.
Step 3: Remember that New Delhi Mumbai Rajdhani Express is especially known for its speed and premium status.
Step 4: Compare this with the Shatabdi trains listed, which are fast but not generally ranked above the long distance Rajdhani in combined considerations of speed and category.
Step 5: Conclude that New Delhi Mumbai Rajdhani Express is the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
General knowledge books and question banks often mention New Delhi Mumbai Rajdhani Express and New Delhi Bhopal Shatabdi Express as among the fastest trains in India. When a question presents a list including only one Rajdhani Express and various other services, it is usually pointing toward the Rajdhani option. Furthermore, the Mumbai Goa Superfast Express is not normally cited in lists of the top few fastest trains. This pattern in exam material confirms that the New Delhi Mumbai Rajdhani Express is intended as the right choice.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Mumbai Goa Superfast Express: Although labelled superfast, it does not have the same high average speed ranking as Rajdhani Express services and is not normally quoted as the fastest train.
New Delhi Lucknow Shatabdi Express: This is a fast day time intercity train but its average speed is lower than that of New Delhi Mumbai Rajdhani Express.
New Delhi Chandigarh Shatabdi Express: Also a fast Shatabdi service, but again not generally ranked above the Rajdhani Express in speed based lists.
Any blank option: No such option is relevant to the comparison.
Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may assume that all Shatabdi trains are faster than Rajdhani trains because Shatabdi services are marketed as high speed day trains. Others may simply guess based on familiarity with a particular route like Mumbai Goa. Another confusion is mixing this question with more recent developments such as semi high speed trains, which are not part of the options. To avoid these errors, aspirants should remember that among traditional long distance trains, Rajdhani Express services, including the New Delhi Mumbai Rajdhani Express, have long been recognised as some of the fastest in Indian Railways.
Final Answer:
Among the given options, the fastest running train on Indian Railways is the New Delhi Mumbai Rajdhani Express.
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