The decision comes after the ministry noted that despite introducing newer and faster trains to the fleet, they were not running to their full potential.
Train travel to the four metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata, popularly known as the Golden Quadrilateral, set to get faster as the Rail ministry asked its respective zones to improve rail infrastructure connecting the cities and submit a detailed plan by April 13.
The decision comes after the ministry noted that despite introducing newer and faster trains to the fleet, they were not running to their full potential. The ministry wants to ensure that long-distance trains consistently run at a speed of 130kmph. Currently, the speeds vary from 60 kmph to 130 kmph on different stretches. A total of 45 sections operate on six different routes connecting these four cities.
Railway Board chief Ashwani Lohani has sent a letter, a copy of which is with DNA, to all the General Managers of Indian Railways to review all the routes connecting the golden quadrilateral and submit a plan of action by April 13.
The letter states: "A review of the maximum permissible speed of the section on the golden quadrilateral shows that there are several sections where the maximum permissible speed is less than 130kmph. It has been brought to notice that on several sections new trains have been introduced at higher speeds but the maximum permissible speed has not been raised."
For instance trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Superfast trains with LHB coaches can achieve good speeds. However, upgrades to infrastructure like tracks, more accurate signals and electricity supply have not been done.
Rail officials claim that these upgrades involve heavy investments and huge works. "It's not that simple. For instance, for increasing the speeds of trains on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route itself will cost not less than Rs 6 crore per kilometer roughly. A lot of planning needs to go into it," said a Western Railway official.
However, the Railway Board officials stated that increasing speeds of long-distance trains is important to reduce travel time and maintain competition with airlines.
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