Dear friend the R-VSKP route does not have a high unsatisfied demand. Presently there are many options for from R to VSKP like
(1) 18517/8 Korba-R (dep 20:10)-VSKP(7:00) daily exp. Which is only a 16 coached train and highly convenient to R paxs. There is enough scope for additional coaches. 18573/4 VSKP-R-BGKT weekly (Dep 21:40, VSKP arr 6:30) is also a convenient train. In fact many paxs from Durg-Bhilai too catch this train from R.
(2) For day time journey 12807/8 (Samta Exp 5 days a week), 17481/2 (BSP-R-TPTY biweekly), Durg-VSKP pass, R-VSKP pass,...
more... etc are there.
(3) For short distance day time paxs on route many other BBS/PUI bound trains are there from R. like Durg-Jagdalpur triweekly, R-Junagarh dailypass, Ahmedabad-PUI Exp. (5days a week), Durg-Puri daily are other convenient trains available throughout the day.
(4) Under these circumstances, JS from Raipur shall cry for patronage.
(5) Problem with this train is 5:40 departure from R shall be inconvenient, 8hr 35min journey time shall not permit the return journey with the same rake. i.e. 2 rakes shall be required else it will reach R at midnight which no pax shall prefer. Midway stations have very low pax. potential.
(6) If 2 rakes are to be used, then a better option for JS on the route is NGP-G(130)-DURG(265)-Bhilai-R(308)-TIG(510)-VSKP(8 38km) which can be covered in 13-13.5 hrs with a good and pax. friendly time slot. Unsatisfied demand exist in Bhilai—Durg-G-NGP section and respectable patronage is possible for the train.
(7) Further, extension of this train to BZA could have been a very good option, but the distance(1188km) is too long. The train has to clock an avg speed of whopping 70kmph to ensure convenient timing. We can wait till the Doubling of R-TIG & tripling of TIG-VZM along with electrification is over. With new capital of AP near BZA, this extension could have come very handy for the people of the large stretch of AP served by the train, for going to their state capital.
(8) The train can alternatively be westward extended to Amravati (175km) with the same rake. The slot of existing 12119 Amravati (AMI dep 5:30)-NGP (arr 8:15) S/F intercity Exp. may be used with advantage. Onward journey from NGP-Dep 8:30 and final VSKP arrival between 21:30 to 22:00 should be a good option. Amravati is not connected to cities East of NGP and appreciable road traffic is there. The existing rake of the AMI-NGP S/F Exp shall be free, and can be run on some other route or to augment other popular trains.