Speed Rail

High-speed-trainsSemi-High Speed Projects

While India has one of the largest rail networks in the world, as of 2014 it does not have any kilometers classed as high-speed rail (HSR), which allowing an operational speed of 200 km/h or more. Compared to China, which has a 7% more population, has 19,369 km in operation and 17,078 km under construction. The current fastest train in India is the Bhopal Shatabdi that runs with a top speed of 150 km/h.

Prior to the 2014 general election, the two major national parties (BJP and INC) both pledged to introduce high-speed rail. The INC pledged to connect all of India’s million-plus cities by high-speed rail, whereas BJP, which won the election, promised to build the Diamond Quadrilateral project, which would connect via high-speed rail the cities of Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. The project was confirmed as a project of priority for the new government in the President’s speech.

Currently there are no semi high speed rail routes in India. A trial run has been successfully completed on Delhi – Agra section and plans are to start these trains on Delhi – Bhopal / Chandigarh / Kanpur / Lucknow sections after starting on Delhi – Agra section. The Delhi – Agra semi high speed train is expected to start in November 2014. Mumbai Rajdhani Express will be upgraded to 200 kmph. This will reduce 8 hours of traveling time. Railway Minister Mr. Sadanand Gauda mentioned in his Rail budget 2014 speech that the railways are going to start high speed trains at 160-200 kmph on 9 routes.

Semi High-Speed Corridor Speed Track gauge Distance (km) Time reduced Operations per day Start Operations Status
Delhi – Agra 160 kmph Broad Gauge 195 30 min November 2014 Successful trial run in July 2014. This service may start operations from November 2014.
Chennai –Hyderabad 160 kmph Broad Gauge 915 Approved in 2014 Railway Budget
Delhi – Chandigarh 160 kmph Broad Gauge 244 Approved in 2014 Railway Budget
Delhi – Kanpur 160 kmph Broad Gauge 441 Approved in 2014 Railway Budget
Mumbai –Ahmedabad 160 kmph Broad Gauge 493 Approved in 2014 Railway Budget
Mumbai – Goa 160 kmph Broad Gauge 1230 Approved in 2014 Railway Budget
Mysore – Bangalore– Chennai 160 kmph Broad Gauge 495 Approved in 2014 Railway Budget
Nagpur –Raipur –Bilaspur 160 kmph Broad Gauge 413 Approved in 2014 Railway Budget
Nagpur –Secunderabad 160 kmph Broad Gauge 575 Approved in 2014 Railway Budget

 High Speed Rail Projects

In India, trains in the future with top speeds of 300–350 km/h, are envisaged to run on elevated corridors to isolate high-speed train tracks and thereby prevent trespassing by animals and people.

The current conventional lines between Amritsar-New Delhi, and Ahmedabad-Mumbai runs through suburban and rural areas, which are flat and have no tunnels. Ahmedabad-Mumbai line runs near the coast therefore have more bridges, and parts of it are in backwaters or forest. The 1987 RDSO/JICA feasibility study found the Mumbai-Ahmedabad line as most promising.

Maharashtra state government has proposed a link between Mumbai and Nagpur. The government also wants a corridor to connect toNavi Mumbai International Airport.

High-Speed Corridor Route Track gauge Stations Speed Length (km) Further Extension Status
Nationwide
Diamond Quadrilateral Delhi – Mumbai – Chennai – Kolkata – Delhi 1676 TBA 250 – 350 6,500 – 7,000 No Extension Approved in Rail budget 2014
East India
Howrah – Haldia High-Speed Passenger Corridor Howrah–Haldia 1676 TBD 250-300 135 TBD Approved by Planning Commission & PMO
North India
Delhi – Kolkata High-Speed Passenger Corridor Delhi–Agra–Kanpur–Lucknow–Varanasi–Patna–Kolkata 1676 TBD 200 – 350 991 Howrah Approved by Planning Commission & PMO
Delhi – Amritsar High-Speed Passenger Corridor Delhi–Chandigarh–Amritsar 1676 TBD 450 TBD Approved by Planning Commission & PMO
Delhi – Jodhpur High-Speed Passenger Corridor Delhi–Jaipur–Ajmer–Jodhpur 1676 TBD 591 TBD Proposed
West India
Ahmedabad – Dwarka High-Speed Passenger Corridor Ahmedabad – Rajkot – Jamnagar – Dwarka 1676 TBD TBD
Mumbai/Navi Mumbai – Nagpur High-Speed Passenger Corridor Mumbai/Navi Mumbai – Nashik – Akola – Nagpur 1676 TBA TBA Proposed
Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed passenger corridor Mumbai–Ahmedabad 1676 11 320 534 Approved by Planning Commission & PMO
Rajkot – Veraval High-Speed Passenger Corridor Rajkot – Junagadh – Veraval 1676 TBD 350 TBD
South India
Hyderabad – Chennai High-Speed Passenger Corridor Hyderabad–Kazipet–Dornakal–Vijayawada–Chennai 1676 TBD 664 Howrah via Visakhapatnam Approved by Planning Commission & PMO
Chennai – Thiruvananthapuram High-Speed Passenger Corridor Chennai–Bangalore– Coimbatore – Ernakulam –Thiruvananthapuram TBD 350 850 Approved by Planning Commission & PMO
Thiruvananthapuram – Mangalore High-Speed Passenger Corridor Thiruvananthapuram – Mangalore 1435 9 300 585 Udupi Scrapped by Kerala State Government
Bangalore – Mysore High-Speed Passenger Corridor[34] Bangalore – Mysore TBD 350 110 Not planned Approved in Rail budget 2014