Deadline of high-speed train project can be ascertained only after design is finalised, says Railways Minister

In October last year, the BEML had informed stock exchanges that it had been awarded a contract worth ₹866.87 crore for manufacturing trains with a test speed of 280 kmph; the trains will boast chair cars with aerodynamic exteriors, optimum temperature and lighting, CCTVs, etc.

The deadline for completion of the indigenous high-speed train project, which is being undertaken by the Integral Coach Factory in collaboration with BEML, can be reasonably ascertained only after finalisation of detailed design, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (November 27, 2024).

Parliament Winter Session: LIVE updates from November 27, 2024

In a written reply, Mr. Vaishnaw stated that the design and manufacturing of high-speed train sets were “complex and technology-intensive” processes. “The major technical aspects are design and manufacturing of aerodynamic, airtight car body, design and manufacturing of electrics including propulsion for high-speed application, weight optimisation of the train set, and heating, ventilation, air conditioning [HVAC] of the train,” Mr. Vaishnaw said.

In October, the BEML informed stock exchanges that it was awarded a contract worth ₹866.87 crore, at a price of approximately ₹28 crore per coach, for manufacturing trains with a test speed of 280 kmph. It also stated that the indigenous train sets are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2026.

Mr. Vaishnaw told the House that the train’s features include chair cars with aerodynamic exteriors, sealed gangways, automatic doors, optimum temperature and lighting inside compartments for passenger comfort, CCTVs, mobile charging facilities, fire safety equipment, etc.

The indigenously manufactured train sets will run on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project corridor, which is being executed with technical and financial assistance provided by the government of Japan.

Related Stories

• 33 supercomputers deployed in India till November: Centre tells Lok Sabha

• Blankets used by train passengers washed at least once a month, Rail Minister tells LS

• Parliamentary panel on Waqf Bill to seek extension of tenure

• Parliamentary proceedings | Both Houses adjourn for the day amid Opposition protest

The Hindu had earlier reported that the Ministry of Railways was considering indigenous manufacture of high-speed train sets as a decision on deploying Shinkansen bullet train technology, which boasts speeds of 320 kmph, has not been reached yet.

Providing information on the 508-km MAHSR Project, which is set to have 12 stations at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati, Mr. Vaishnaw said that 1389.6 hectares of land has been acquired while 336 km of pier foundation, 331 km of pier construction, 260 km of girder casting, and 225 km of girder launching have been completed. The work on an undersea tunnel, approximately 21-km long, has also started.

Published - November 27, 2024 10:23 pm IST