Vande Bharat High Speed Trials Underway to Cut Travel Time on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Route by 45 Minutes
Mumbai: In an exciting development for Indian railways, the Western Railway (WR) has been given the green light to conduct high-speed trials of the Vande Bharat Express trains between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
The trials, part of the ambitious ‘Mission Raftaar’, will test trains at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour (kmph), a significant increase from the current 130 kmph. This move could reduce travel time by approximately 45 minutes on the 5-hour journey, offering a faster and more efficient travel option.
In February, the WR sought the final approval from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), under the Ministry of Aviation, to begin these high-speed trials. With the necessary permissions now in place, the WR is gearing up to retrofit a 16-car Vande Bharat train specifically for this purpose.
Engineering Milestones
WR officials have detailed the comprehensive engineering work completed on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route in preparation for the Vande Bharat high speed trials:
- Safety Measures: A total of 792 route kilometers have been outfitted with safety barriers to ensure secure and swift travel.
- Infrastructure Overhaul: Key engineering enhancements have been made, including the strengthening of over 120 bridge approaches with geocells. Additionally, 138 bridges have been rehabilitated, and seven have been replaced with ballasted decks to support higher speeds.
- Track Enhancements: The route has seen the straightening of 134 curvatures, and the capacity of concrete sleepers has been increased. The tracks now feature a cushioning of 300 mm of ballasts, improved from the regular 250 mm.
Economic Impact and Future Prospects
The upgrade from 120-130 kmph to 160 kmph is set to not only reduce travel times but also significantly impact the economic connectivity between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The project, covering critical sectors like Mumbai-Surat-Vadodara-Delhi, involves an estimated investment of ₹3,959 crore by the WR, with the total cost extending to ₹10,000 crore up to Delhi.
Approximately 50 trains, including prestigious names like Vande Bharat, Tejas, and Shatabdi Express, currently connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad. These developments promise to enhance the capabilities and performance of these trains substantially.
The Vande Bharat high speed trials represent a crucial step in modernizing India’s railway infrastructure and reducing journey times on key routes across the country. This initiative not only underscores the commitment to enhancing passenger experience but also boosts the overall efficiency of the national transportation network. As these trials commence, they mark a significant milestone in the journey towards a faster and more efficient railway system in India.
