Hyderabad, March 14 (IANS) The non-stop bi-weekly Duronto Express from Secunderabad to Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi) became operational Sunday.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K.Rosaiah flagged off the train at the Secunderabad railway station in the presence of Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa.

The Duronto Express departs Secunderabad at 1.30 p.m. and reach Delhi around 12.50 p.m. the next day - two hours faster than the AP Express.

Train No.2285 Secunderabad-Hazrat Nizamuddin Duronto Express will depart from Secunderabad on Sundays and Thursdays. In the return direction, train No.2286 Hazrat Nizamuddin-Secunderabad Duronto Express will depart from Hazrat Nizamuddin on Mondays and Fridays at 4 p.m. and arrive in Secunderabad at 2 p.m. the following day.

South Central Railway (SCR) officials said the train will have only operational halts and passengers who do not reserve tickets would not be allowed to board the train.

The SCR also plans to make operational the Duronto Express between Secunderabad and Mumbai before the month-end.