Over the last few years it has been observed that to fill a fully AC train in lean season (because in peak season even smaller stations could fill them) a stoppage at a metropolitan city, or a city with high number of so called elite people is a must.
That's why, I think some bloggers here are supporting VSKP, SC, PUNE route over SBP.
Even if you look at Bilaspur Rajdhani, it takes a longer route via, Nagpur, Bhopal; because Bilaspur, Raipur and Durg together are not able to fill Rajdhani for the...
more... whole year and if it takes shorter Katni route then same chance persists of train not able to get filled. I know they have started a Humsafar via that route but it's filled due to summer rush now, we should track its occupancy in lean season to know whether it's profitable or not.