Several trains operating on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route are set to increase their speed from the current 130 kmph to an impressive 160 kmph. The railway administration has finalized an action plan to implement this upgrade, which will take effect starting August 15th.
Speed Zones and Adjustments:
- Between Virar and Surat, as well as from Surat to Ahmedabad, trains will now travel at the enhanced speed of 160 kmph.
- The section from Mumbai Central to Borivali will see speeds adjusted to 100 kmph, while the stretch between Borivali and Virar will operate at 110 kmph.
Mission Raftaar Initiative:
This speed enhancement is part of the ambitious “Mission Raftaar” initiative by Indian Railways, aimed at reducing travel times between major cities. Before implementation, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) will conduct inspections in July 2024 to approve the speed upgrade—a mandatory step.
Infrastructure Upgrades:
To achieve the higher speeds, several critical infrastructure improvements have been completed:
- Track Upgrades: Extensive track enhancements have been carried out, ensuring smoother and safer travel.
- Overhead Wiring Enhancements: The electrification system has been optimized to support faster trains.
- Kavach Technology Installation: Cutting-edge safety technology, known as Kavach, has been deployed to mitigate speed-related challenges.
Key Achievements:
- Barricade-Fencing: Along 565 km of track, protective barricades have been installed to enhance safety.
- Signalling Improvements: 126 railway bridges now feature upgraded signaling systems.
- Overhead Wire Installations: The electrification infrastructure has been modernized.
Passenger Benefits:
The primary goal of these upgrades is to reduce travel times for passengers. Here are the expected time savings for some popular trains:
- Vande Bharat Express: Currently taking 5.25 hours, it will now complete the journey in just 4.40 hours.
- Shatabdi Express: Travel time will decrease from 5.50 hours to 4.50 hours.
- IRCTC Tejas Express: The journey will be shortened from 6.25 hours to 5.50 hours.
- Double Decker: Expect a faster trip, reducing from 6.55 hours to 6.15 hours.
- Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani: The travel time will be significantly reduced, from 15.32 hours to 12 hours.
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