NEW DELHI: Russian
Railways is helping India's national transporter increase the speed of its
passenger trains up to 200 km per hour.
Russian Railways is at present collaborating with Indian
Railways on a 575-km stretch between Nagpur and Secunderabad and submitted a
preliminary report last week.
To reach the desired speed limit, Russian Railways has
proposed several technical and technological solutions, including
reconstruction of railway alignment as well as treating the earth bed where
there are speed restrictions.
Since Indian Railways doesn't have coaches that can move
with a speed of 200 km per hour, a new type of passenger cars needs to be
approved as well.
It has, however, expressed concern over "a number of
large bridges with speed limits" on this particular stretch and has
recommended a detailed survey of all these structures on the basis of which
measures for reconstruction/repair will be taken up.
It has also been pointed out that railroad switches, which
enables trains to shift from one track to another, at stations on this stretch
are not suitable for a speed of 200 km per hour and a different type of switch
has been recommended.
A digital technological communication network for the entire
section, instead of the existing radio communication, was also proposed.
A high-speed rail network will also require safety measures
for pedestrians and motor vehicles at rail crossings. Keeping this in mind,
overpasses, anti-collision and anti-ram barriers as well as automatic alarm
systems have been suggested.
A protective fencing along the length of the rail track was
mooted in order to prevent accidents with people and animals on the track.
The Russian Railways also suggested noise shields for tracks
near residential areas.
A protocol for this project was signed between the railway
ministries of the two countries in October last year.
The high-speed project will be jointly financed and the cost
will be split equally between the two countries.
Currently, the fastest train in India is Gatimaan Express
with top speed of 160 km per hour.
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