The Indian Railways, in its latest move towards high-speed rail development, has partnered with the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and BEML to create train sets that can reach a design speed of 280 kmph. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently announced this initiative during a written reply to Parliament, emphasizing the significance of this collaboration in the advancement of India's rail infrastructure.
These new high-speed train sets are a testament to India's manufacturing prowess, particularly under the "Make in India" initiative that aims to promote local production. Minister Vaishnaw revealed that the cost of manufacturing each train car would be around ₹28 crore, highlighting its competitive edge on a global scale due to its relatively lower production cost compared to similar high-speed train sets worldwide. Despite the cost efficiency, Vaishnaw also acknowledged the technical intricacies involved in developing these advanced trains, stressing the complexity of designing and manufacturing high-speed train sets that require sophisticated technology and expertise.
The focus of the project is not just on speed but also on ensuring passenger comfort and safety. These new train sets will boast cutting-edge features such as aerodynamic exteriors, sealed gangways, automatic doors, advanced HVAC systems for climate control, CCTV surveillance, mobile charging ports, and fire safety equipment. Minister Vaishnaw emphasized that these features are designed to provide passengers with the best-in-class experience, prioritizing their safety and well-being during their journey. The exact timeline for completing the project will be finalized once the detailed design phase is complete, indicating a meticulous approach to ensuring the quality and efficiency of the new high-speed train sets.
Furthermore, Minister Vaishnaw provided an update on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, a 508-km-long corridor connecting major cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara. The project, which is receiving technical and financial support from Japan, has made significant progress, including the commencement of work on the undersea tunnel spanning approximately 21 km. The acquisition of the necessary land for construction, amounting to 1,389.5 hectares, has been completed, with major components such as pier construction and girder launching progressing well as part of the development efforts for the high-speed rail corridor.