The average speed of Vande Bharat trains has reduced to 76.25 km/h in 2023-24 from 84.48 km/h in 2020-21. Lack of rail infrastructure, Ongoing projects and challenging terrain are cited as main reasons.
Coimbatore: In a recent revelation through an RTI response, the average speed of Vande Bharat trains has been reported to have decreased significantly over the past three years. Initially recorded at 84.48 km/h in the fiscal year 2020-21, it dipped to 76.25 km/h in 2023-24. This decline is largely attributed to extensive infrastructural projects and the naturally challenging terrains along certain routes, impacting train speeds adversely.
Railway authorities have clarified that the speed reduction is not isolated to the Vande Bharat trains but also affects various other trains across the network. The ongoing construction and enhancement of railway infrastructure necessitate operating at lower, cautionary speeds, especially through difficult geographical regions and during adverse weather conditions. An example highlighted by officials is the Mumbai CSMT to Madgaon Vande Bharat route which traverses the tough 'ghat' sections of the Konkan railway, notorious for its rugged terrain where speed restrictions are mandatory for safety.
Chandra Shekhar Gaur, an RTI activist from Madhya Pradesh, has brought this issue to light by providing detailed speed metrics over the last few years. Despite the challenging conditions, the Vande Bharat has been designed to reach speeds up to 160 km/h under optimal track conditions, such as those found between Delhi and Agra. These tracks were specifically upgraded in 2016 to accommodate India’s first semi-high-speed train, the Gatiman Express. However, only these segments allow the Vande Bharat to operate at its potential maximum speed of 160 km/h, with other routes maintaining speeds of 130 km/h or lower based on track suitability.
Further insights from officials suggest that once the ongoing upgrades to the tracks are completed, the trains could potentially achieve speeds up to 250 km/h. However, certain routes are still significantly underperforming in terms of speed, with the Dehradun-Anand Vihar, Patna-Ranchi, and Coimbatore-Bangalore Cantt routes registering markedly lower averages.
Criticism remains from certain quarters within the railway infrastructure sector, pointing to a lag in track upgrades compatible with the high-speed capabilities initially promised with the Vande Bharat launch. As infrastructural developments continue, the full potential of these advanced trains is yet to be realized, awaiting further improvements and enhancements across the national railway network.
Railway authorities have clarified that the speed reduction is not isolated to the Vande Bharat trains but also affects various other trains across the network. The ongoing construction and enhancement of railway infrastructure necessitate operating at lower, cautionary speeds, especially through difficult geographical regions and during adverse weather conditions. An example highlighted by officials is the Mumbai CSMT to Madgaon Vande Bharat route which traverses the tough 'ghat' sections of the Konkan railway, notorious for its rugged terrain where speed restrictions are mandatory for safety.
Chandra Shekhar Gaur, an RTI activist from Madhya Pradesh, has brought this issue to light by providing detailed speed metrics over the last few years. Despite the challenging conditions, the Vande Bharat has been designed to reach speeds up to 160 km/h under optimal track conditions, such as those found between Delhi and Agra. These tracks were specifically upgraded in 2016 to accommodate India’s first semi-high-speed train, the Gatiman Express. However, only these segments allow the Vande Bharat to operate at its potential maximum speed of 160 km/h, with other routes maintaining speeds of 130 km/h or lower based on track suitability.
Further insights from officials suggest that once the ongoing upgrades to the tracks are completed, the trains could potentially achieve speeds up to 250 km/h. However, certain routes are still significantly underperforming in terms of speed, with the Dehradun-Anand Vihar, Patna-Ranchi, and Coimbatore-Bangalore Cantt routes registering markedly lower averages.
Criticism remains from certain quarters within the railway infrastructure sector, pointing to a lag in track upgrades compatible with the high-speed capabilities initially promised with the Vande Bharat launch. As infrastructural developments continue, the full potential of these advanced trains is yet to be realized, awaiting further improvements and enhancements across the national railway network.