Agra :

Indian Railways successfully conducted the first trial run of the country’s fastest train on the New Delhi-Agra route on Thursday, with the train covering a distance of 200 kms in 100 minutes against the stipulated time of 90 minutes. While during the journey its average speed was 125-130 kmph, it touched a maximum speed of 160 kmph.

At present, the Bhopal Shatabdi Express is India’s fastest train with a top speed of 150 kmph.

Equipped with an electric locomotive of 5,400HP, the semi-high speed train was flagged off from platform number 6 of the New Delhi railway station at 11:15am. The train reached Agra Cantt railway station at 12:55pm on platform number 5. The train was halted at Mathura for 10 minutes for a functionality check.

Commissioner (railway safety) PK Vajpayee, divisional railway manager (DRM) of Delhi Anurag Sachan, DRM, Agra, Vijay Sehgal and other senior officials involved with the project were on board.

Addressing the media, Vajpayee said the trial run was successful and that the train service is likely to start in November this year.

Sehgal added that there are 16 speed restriction areas and curves on the Delhi-Agra route which were upgraded to improve the speed. The upgradation was for trial and further maintenance and budget will be declared in the upcoming railway budget.

It is estimated that a cost of Rs 15 crore would be incurred to make the track ready for the train. The railways placed temporary barricades in parts of the stretch to prevent obstruction and ensure speed. Later, permanent fencing will be done in the entire 200-km route.

The New Delhi-Agra train will reduce travel time between the two cities from 120 minutes to 90 minutes, and will come as a boon for tourists from Delhi looking to visit the Taj Mahal.

The project was announced by the railway board chairman, Arunendra Kumar, in March. The detailed project report (DPR) for the semi-high speed train on Delhi-Agra route was prepared by the high-speed rail corporation. Railway authorities are also planning to launch similar trains from Delhi to Kanpur, and Delhi to Chandigarh as Shatabdi trains.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Agra / by Ishita Mishra, TNN / July 03rd, 2014