Indian Railways Thread (Dec 2015)

sanman · Post by **sanman** » 31 Jul 2023 20:24

Horrific shooting carried out by RPF Jawan Chetan Kumar on Jaipur-Mumbai Express: 3 (Muslim) civilians and 1 police officer killed

While standing over the dead bodies, he is recorded stating that those who want to stay in India must vote for PM Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath.

https://twitter.com/AITCSanghamitra/sta ... 4657315841

vsunder · Post by **vsunder** » 05 Aug 2023 07:11

Track Linking on the EDFC is now complete.

As per my post and video above the last 8km from Saharanpur to New Pilkhani was being linked in that video. That is now complete. Out of 1337km of the EDFC here is the position.

1. Dadri to Son Nagar(Bihar) 937 km, double line, standard mast height OHE, parallel to IR Grand Chord route from Delhi to Howrah, operational.

2. Branch line EDFC. Khurja UP, to Sahnewal(Ludhiana) Punjab, 400km. Single line, standard height OHE.

(a) Khurja to Khatauli 134km operational.

(b) Sahnewal to New Shambhu Punjab, 82 km operational.

(c) New Kalanaur, Haryana to New Pilkhani UP, 18km trials ongoing, preparatory to being opened.

(d) Remaining parts, New Shambhu, Punjab to New Kalanaur, Haryana, track linking finished, station works and Electrification and signals work going on for either a late August or early September opening. Distance 80km.

(e) New Khatauli to New Pilkhani, 88km, last section of the EDFC to be track linked a few days ago. Now only wiring and station works going on, finishing works mainly. Possibly trials will start by mid to late September.

So now only WDFC left to complete.

Ashokk · Post by **Ashokk** » 18 Aug 2023 15:24

Soon, Chennai to Bengaluru will take just 4 hours by train

CHENNAI: Travel time from Chennai to Bengaluru and a few other destinations may reduce by at least 20 minutes in the coming days as railways has permitted increased speed of trains between Arakkonam and Jolarpet (144km) from 110kmph to 130kmph. The move comes after tracks and signals were upgraded. Chennai-Arakkonam stretch had already been upgraded for the enhanced speed.

The reduction in travel time will be significant for trains to Bengaluru as total travel time will now reduce from four hours and 25 minutes to around four hours for Vande Bharat. It will decrease from the existing five hours and 30 minutes to six hours for trains like Shatabdi or Brindavan express.
As most of the work has been completed, railways has issued a circular alerting operations department and loco pilots that 124 trains with LHB coaches have been given sanction to run at 130 kmph between Arakkonam and Jolarpettai from next week. LHB coaches can run at 130kmph while ICF-design coaches have speed limit of 110kmph.
The move will cut travel time to Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Mumbai and a few other destinations as many of the trains have LHB coaches, said an official.
An official said that most part of the work that was going on has been completed and decision would be taken to allow each trains to run at the increased speed gradually.
Sources said that Vande Bharat trains to Bengaluru and Coimbatore were running at 130kmph between Chennai and Arakkonam and now with the extension of the upgraded route to Jolarpet, other trains too can run at better speed. “Railways is working to increase speed on major routes from Chennai. Completion of this stretch is part of the work.”.

The reduction of travel time will help railways handle competition from Omni buses on Bengaluru route.
T Sadagopan, a frequent traveller to Bengaluru, said “increasing of speed is good but railways should take steps to minimise delays caused by congestion or bottle neck on the routes. Railways should also remove speed restrictions and other drawbacks on the route closer to Bengaluru.”
Chennai - Renigunta section and Chennai - Gudur section were upgraded last year. Speed has been increased over 2,000 route km and maximum permissible speed of 44 trains were increased last year.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 20 Aug 2023 22:41

via@NewsArenaIndia

the train looks pretty slick in its new color

Bhagwa Vande Bharat Express.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1693247638303318400

bala · Post by **bala** » 21 Aug 2023 02:24

Only Indian Railway's trains have fully exposed under compartment/carriage accoutrements, they don't believe in a flange/skirt to cover them up. Pretty uncouth looking. All high speed trains have them.

S_Madhukar · Post by **S_Madhukar** » 21 Aug 2023 03:33

I suspect IR VB trains are less of semi high speed but more of modern suburban EMUs being used for long-distance travel. UK rail modern EMUs class 377, 700 etc can run at 100 mph but don’t have skirts either … may be to save costs and ease of maintenance…I think IR yet doesn’t think away from the past masters …

To be fair to IR I think they have combined multiple form factors taking some good practices from various classes to come up with VB. Hope to see some differentiation a few years down the line.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_700

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_377

rajkumar · Post by **rajkumar** » 21 Aug 2023 11:46

Ground Report: Live Tracking Of Freight Movement On Eastern DFC From Operation Control Centre

https://swarajyamag.com/amp/story/infra ... rol-centre

Nick_S · Post by **Nick_S** » 24 Sep 2023 17:49

bala wrote: ↑21 Aug 2023 02:24 Only Indian Railway's trains have fully exposed under compartment/carriage accoutrements, they don't believe in a flange/skirt to cover them up. Pretty uncouth looking. All high speed trains have them.

Apparently, the skirts are not compatible with some train stations, which is why you dont see them on.

bala · Post by **bala** » 24 Sep 2023 20:54

Nick_S wrote: ↑24 Sep 2023 17:49 Apparently, the skirts are not compatible with some train stations, which is why you dont see them on.

Well if that is the case, tis time to fix these train stations. Most of the old decrepit stuff left behind by the Britshits is crumbling and it is time IR overhauled the system completely. This is job #1 and whatever money spent will be recouped in the long run.

bala · Post by **bala** » 03 Oct 2023 01:18

Vande Bharat sleeper train version.. a few proposed pictures.. in Hindi

An interview with former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu - talks about Railways during his time as Railway Mantriji.

bala · Post by **bala** » 04 Oct 2023 10:04

Mantriji Ashwini Vaishnaw talk on current status of Indian Railways

पूरे भारत में विकाश तेजी से आगे बड़ रही है

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 06 Oct 2023 18:07

https://youtu.be/VkhYZ6uJ60k?si=9AmxovHNPvCW6PFP

JTull · Post by **JTull** » 08 Oct 2023 16:53

When is first Vande Bharat starting to J&K? It was supposed to be using Chenab Bridge route.

bala · Post by **bala** » 11 Oct 2023 22:55

The Man Behind Modi's Favourite Train Vande Bharat. Is it Really World Class? Sudhanshu Mani in Jaipur Diaglogs.

Spain's Talgo was trialed prior to VB. Apparently its gauge and India is only a very very small difference. After the trials were over Talgo was presented to the IR Secretary, who balked at single vendor and without a tender they would not touch it. Talgo returned back to Spain disappointed. IR was bent on imports but miraculously gave sanction to Sudhanshu to go ahead with VB and demonstrate its benefits. ICF team was excited. The team went about its work in earnest. Mani enlisted consultants from Euroland. They took their advise but the design was done in India and the suppliers were all local. In 18 months from 2018 to 2000 they demonstrated VB. Train 20 was deemed as aluminium which is extruded. Extrusion for these lengths requires machines of larger scale. India did not have such expertise.

Sleeper version VB is supposed to be stainless steel and 200 of them are planned - awarded 120 to Russian company and 80 to titagarh. 100 Aluminium versions of the sleeper version are planned. Alstom is the lowest bidder. Aluminium is lighter weight and consumes less energy than say stainless steel. From a passenger perspective they don't care, only the furnishings matter. Speed of course matters since time is involved. This requires a massive upgrade of tracks, signalling and some improvements in railway stations. VB has kavach (Indian RDSO developed) anti-collision system. Budget for IR nowadays is around 2.62 lakh crores (trillion) rupees. Paisa is not issue, execution is. Overnight travel is around 8-12 hrs.

BTW Japan in 1964 came up with a train around 200 kmph. Indian trains still have quality issues, exteriors still show undulations, interiors are not at the level of other world trains. One thing the interiors of VB have is adequate spacing for seating due to broad gauge size. Fit and finish of Euro trains is superior. India has a long way to get to that level. Timings on IR is very dicey, getting down to the minute in published timings will take a long time in IR. Stations are woefully inadequate and a major revamp a la airport style is pending. Food and service is another area that requires some concerted improvements. All in all VB is a transformative train for India and its image in the world.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 11 Oct 2023 23:32

S_Madhukar wrote: ↑21 Aug 2023 03:33 I suspect IR VB trains are less of semi high speed but more of modern suburban EMUs being used for long-distance travel. UK rail modern EMUs class 377, 700 etc can run at 100 mph but don’t have skirts either … may be to save costs and ease of maintenance…I think IR yet doesn’t think away from the past masters …
To be fair to IR I think they have combined multiple form factors taking some good practices from various classes to come up with VB. Hope to see some differentiation a few years down the line.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_700

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_377

what's with the attitude, Madhukar saar....and for all the enormous indigenous efforts and hard work that have gone into the VB (train 18) train sets, a little consideration and kindness would have been nice.

the skirts are a deliberate omission because when installed they impacted the platform side at many stations. A solution will be found by and by.

our erstwhile masters are struggling with their railways, which BTW, is not a marvel of efficiency by any standards

and finally, it really does not matter if the cat is black or white, what matters is that it catches mice... (even its pedigree is of no import because our designers have standardized the product and they are working to further optimize it)

And one of the reasons that this form factor was preferred is because of the much faster acceleration that it provides after halting at a station

Many ISO/TS 22163 certified, big name multinationals, as well as, Indian suppliers, and vested interests from the railway board, and also the ministry, tried their best to sabotage the Train 18 project, and yet those guys pulled off a highly commendable success working against a deck stacked against them. The project head worked most of the time under a huge cloud of hostility from many of the seniors up the chain

The rail ministry, like agri, and defence, was one of the largest and most sought after ATMs in the cabinet. luloo and mumtaz bano did not grab it because they had nothing else to do and entire political parties ran on the take from each of these ministries

SRajesh · Post by **SRajesh** » 12 Oct 2023 01:07

Distressing news of Train accident
Hope it is not a peaceful creation

bala · Post by **bala** » 12 Oct 2023 01:07

First Saffron VB with 25 improvements made, on Kasaragod-ThiruvanthaPuram route in Kerala.
Gratifying to see the pride in common aadmi for the VB which is total indigenous product, designed and made in India.

Improvements/Changes are:

1. Optimization of hardness of cushion .
2. Increase in seat reclining angle
3. Improved accessibility of mobile charging point under the seat
4. Color of seat in Executive Chair Car changed from red to “pleasant Blue
5. Extended foot rest for seats in Executive Chair Car .
6. Provision of securing point for wheelchairs of Divyangjan passenger in the Divyang coach
7. Lighting in toilets improved from 1.5 watts to 2.5 watts
8. Improved roller blind fabric with more tear strength with less transparency
9. Water tap aerator to better water flow control
10. Magazine bags for Executive Chair Car class end seats as well
11. Toilet handle given additional bend for improved grip
12. Standardized colors for toilet panels with similar colors all over.
13. Improved hammer box cover for easy access in case of emergency
14. Borderless emergency talk back unit (to interact with driver in case of emergency) to match with panel background.
15. Improved aerosol based fire detection and suppression system inside the coach
16. Improved air tightness for better air conditioning with insulation over panel
17. Smooth touch controls for luggage rack lights by change from resistive touch to capacitative touch
18. Modified panels of single piece construction of FRP panel to improve aesthetics of the coach
19. Improved upper trim panel for better aesthetics and firmness of panel in coach
20. Hatch doors for electrical maintenance doors in trailer coach for easy in maintenance
21. Interchange of emergency stop push button in driver control panel for easy operation and access for loco pilot
22. Hinged transparent door assembly for the fire extinguish in coaches to have better visibility in case of emergency
24. Uniform colored driver desk in Driving Trailer Coaches for better visibility and aesthetics
25. High Rise Pantographs in areas where the landscape and OHE are in higher positions

Cyrano · Post by **Cyrano** » 12 Oct 2023 21:10

Thats what having indigenous tech allows you to do.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 12 Oct 2023 21:33

Cyrano wrote: ↑12 Oct 2023 21:10 Thats what having indigenous tech allows you to do.

Cyrano ji,

the obvious question......

what were all the previous govts doing.....

did it require a Modi to see the lacuna and fix it or was enforced poverty the only way to rule the proletariat for commie neverwho and his mediocre off spring

JTull · Post by **JTull** » 12 Oct 2023 21:39

Railway Budgets were a political exercise needing political spine to overcome. And, from personal knowledge, Railway Board was a bureaucratic menace! My friends who went to Railways through UPSC are moaning that they've to now work and are accountable. Piyush Goyal took no prisoners when he was minister.

bala · Post by **bala** » 12 Oct 2023 22:34

JTull wrote: ↑12 Oct 2023 21:39 Piyush Goyal took no prisoners when he was minister.

Saar, Piyush goyal stopped the deployment of Train 18 (VB) due to tussle of Electrical vs Mechanical factions in IR Railway board. The Electrical guys hounded out Sudhanshu Mani (who created train 18/VB and a Mechanical guy). It took Vaishnaw to clean up the mess and he also restructured the railway board to be more accountable. Now IR is on a path for reforming railways across India. Railway station upgrade is happening, track work, straightening, doubling, signal improvements, electrification are all hastened. ICF was an old decrepit center but now is fully revived and churning out indigenous trains. The railway design team is looking to upgrade train sets across the board. With each new revision they are going to upgrade convenience and speed. The experience of bullet train from Japan will certainly help the transition to higher speeds in IR.

It is important to note that the Videshi companies don't bulldoze their way into IR. The upgrade is happening at a steady pace commensurate with sane economic reasoning, unlike the China experiment where they converted everything to high-speed (some routes are less crowded) and trillions were wasted/swindled. I am okay with high-speed for main trunk routes e.g. golden quad, and the rest being in the 200+ kmph range. Overnight sleeper trains can compete effectively with air travel.

bala · Post by **bala** » 12 Oct 2023 23:33

In an exclusive interview, Shantanu Roy, Chairman and Managing Director of BEML, and B.G. Mallya, General Manager of Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, shed light on the exciting developments regarding the sleeper version of the Vande Bharat train. This initiative, if successful, promises to deliver an unparalleled travel experience for passengers, with the first prototype expected to roll out within this fiscal year.

Shantanu Roy shared insights into the collaborative efforts between BEML, ICF, and the Railway Board to develop the sleeper version of the Vande Bharat trains. He stated, "If all goes well, we will come out with a world-class unmatched travel experience with the first prototype (of Vande Bharat sleeper train) within this financial year itself." He emphasized that Vande Bharat has been a game-changer for Indian commuter rail, and it all began with Train 18.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently unveiled images of the 'Concept train - Vande Bharat (sleeper version)' on social media, with plans for its launch in 2024. The Vande Bharat Express sleeper train is designed to achieve speeds of 160 km per hour and will consist of 16 bogies, with an approximate capacity to accommodate 887 passengers.

S_Madhukar · Post by **S_Madhukar** » 14 Oct 2023 02:54

https://twitter.com/rajtoday/status/1712739010206917082

So this is the new proposed Vande Sadharan Express... non-AC VB type bogie, articulated boggies, open windows, open doors and push-pull locos at either end..
I am trying to understand will this improve acceleration like the VB train... bcoz speed we are stuck between 105-130 kmph on most tracks..Push-pull locos I have only seen around Lonavala on the western ghat slopes to Pune where the VB train seems to do OK...

It seems IR might be moving towards AC trains as a separate priority category and non-AC general trains for the rest... ?

Not really happy about the branding name ... seems neither here nor there kind of an upgrade.. Will be thrilled if they even move to proper train sets with common livery instead of the current blue/red/yellow khichdi...

@Chetakji - very happy with VB trains but afraid IR will regress to Sadharan onlee...

vera_k · Post by **vera_k** » 14 Oct 2023 03:24

A rethink is required IMO. AC will be required everywhere with climate change. And it will be affordable with growing incomes.

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 15 Oct 2023 04:38

Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor completed.

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 15 Oct 2023 04:43

https://www.business-standard.com/india ... 163_1.html

One of the key infrastructure projects which received a push from Prime Minister Narendra Modi — the 1,337-kilometre (km) Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) from Punjab to Bihar — has achieved completion ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The project is now ready for commissioning, and operations on the full corridor are likely to begin on November 1, according to Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCC) Managing Director R K Jain.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 15 Oct 2023 08:51

S_Madhukar wrote: ↑14 Oct 2023 02:54 [img]https://i.imgur.com/vsAvZXS.png[img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/h84Nu7p.png[img]

https://twitter.com/rajtoday/status/1712739010206917082

So this is the new proposed Vande Sadharan Express... non-AC VB type bogie, articulated boggies, open windows, open doors and push-pull locos at either end..
I am trying to understand will this improve acceleration like the VB train... bcoz speed we are stuck between 105-130 kmph on most tracks..Push-pull locos I have only seen around Lonavala on the western ghat slopes to Pune where the VB train seems to do OK...

It seems IR might be moving towards AC trains as a separate priority category and non-AC general trains for the rest... ?

Not really happy about the branding name ... seems neither here nor there kind of an upgrade.. Will be thrilled if they even move to proper train sets with common livery instead of the current blue/red/yellow khichdi...

@Chetakji - very happy with VB trains but afraid IR will regress to Sadharan onlee...

Glad to hear it, Madhukar ji.

Didn't mean any offense and nor was it personal.

the Vande Sadharan rakes may probably handle more of passenger train services while serving mofussil traffic, and keeping them affordable

Not everyone seeks or needs express trains, especially from the smaller tier 3 towns and villages

One expects that, by and by, the VB trains will eventually catch up with and replace the Vande Sadharan trains.....

But one thing is for sure, these guys get full marks for innovation, willingness to embrace change, and stupendous effort

ritesh · Post by **ritesh** » 15 Oct 2023 20:42

bala wrote: ↑12 Oct 2023 22:34
JTull wrote: ↑12 Oct 2023 21:39 Piyush Goyal took no prisoners when he was minister.
Saar, Piyush goyal stopped the deployment of Train 18 (VB) due to tussle of Electrical vs Mechanical factions in IR Railway board. The Electrical guys hounded out Sudhanshu Mani (who created train 18/VB and a Mechanical guy). It took Vaishnaw to clean up the mess and he also restructured the railway board to be more accountable. are going to upgrade convenience and speed.

Piyush Goyal is also responsible for keeping Konkan line as a single rail line since as it does not cater to much of goods traffic as per some logic.. Due to this reason all the mail express trains have to spend extra 4-5 hrs for crossing or signalling. Very short sighted and incorrect decision may I add.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 15 Oct 2023 22:20

ritesh wrote: ↑15 Oct 2023 20:42
bala wrote: ↑12 Oct 2023 22:34
Saar, Piyush goyal stopped the deployment of Train 18 (VB) due to tussle of Electrical vs Mechanical factions in IR Railway board. The Electrical guys hounded out Sudhanshu Mani (who created train 18/VB and a Mechanical guy). It took Vaishnaw to clean up the mess and he also restructured the railway board to be more accountable. are going to upgrade convenience and speed.
Piyush Goyal is also responsible for keeping Konkan line as a single rail line since as it does not cater to much of goods traffic as per some logic.. Due to this reason all the mail express trains have to spend extra 4-5 hrs for crossing or signalling. Very short sighted and incorrect decision may I add.

Typically, globally, goods traffic makes money and passenger does not. So, the typical strategy is to use the monies made via goods to subsidize passenger traffic.

And, if I am not mistaken the cost of a second line on that route is rather high - due to terrain - compared to others.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 15 Oct 2023 22:48

NRao wrote: ↑15 Oct 2023 22:20
ritesh wrote: ↑15 Oct 2023 20:42
Piyush Goyal is also responsible for keeping Konkan line as a single rail line since as it does not cater to much of goods traffic as per some logic.. Due to this reason all the mail express trains have to spend extra 4-5 hrs for crossing or signalling. Very short sighted and incorrect decision may I add.
Typically, globally, goods traffic makes money and passenger does not. So, the typical strategy is to use the monies made via goods to subsidize passenger traffic.

And, if I am not mistaken the cost of a second line on that route is rather high - due to terrain - compared to others.

Rao saab,

also., this is a dicey track due to fairly frequent rock slides that used to block the rails because of the the hilly terrain.

Must have been very expensive to build even the single line

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 16 Oct 2023 07:36

A dream come true. #USBRL

bala · Post by **bala** » 16 Oct 2023 10:34

IR mantriji Ashwini Vaishnaw, giving a state of affairs in IR in Madhya Pradesh (MP). MP is 100% electrified in terms of railway lines. Railway budget for MP has increased from 600 crores to 12,600 crores (numbers are rounded off). VB has 3 flavors - medium distance is the current VB, long distance is the sleeper version, and short distance is VB metro. Stations are being modernized. India has the lowest train fare in the world. Rs 60,000 crore subsidy is provided for passengers.

सरकार में रेलवे में कितना बदलाव हुआ ? रेल मंत्री से सुनिए

A conversation with Sudhanshu Mani, the father of Vande Bharat, on sleeper version

bala · Post by **bala** » 18 Oct 2023 19:06

The Delhi Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System, also called as Delhi Meerut RRTS is an 82.15 km (51.05 mi) long, rapid rail corridor which will be India's first Regional Rapid Transit System currently under construction, and will connect Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. It is one of the three rapid rail corridors planned under Phase I of the RapidX project managed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). With a maximum speed of 180 km/h (110 mph), the distance between Delhi and Meerut will be covered in less than 60 minutes. The project is being executed at a cost of ₹30,274 crore (US$3.8 billion). It will have 22 stations and two depots at Duhai and Modipuram.

The foundation stone for the project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2019, and construction began in June 2019. The project's first phase, or the 17 km (11 mi)-long priority corridor from Sahibabad to Duhai, was expected to become operational by March 2023. However, due to pending works in some stations, especially in Ghaziabad, it got delayed. It has now been confirmed to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20 October 2023, and the rest of the entire 82 km (51 mi)-long corridor will be opened by June 2025.

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 18 Oct 2023 21:50

<Amazing video> In 1861 - first bull train departed from here.
In 2023 - celebrating Station Mahotsav.

The first Narrow Gauge train in Asia was started between Dabhoi and Miyagam (near Vadodara) in 1862. It was initially drawn by a pair of oxen, subsequently steam engine was introduced in 1873. It was a part of Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway which was later amalgamated with Western Railway.

ritesh · Post by **ritesh** » 18 Oct 2023 22:28

chetak wrote: ↑15 Oct 2023 22:48
NRao wrote: ↑15 Oct 2023 22:20

Typically, globally, goods traffic makes money and passenger does not. So, the typical strategy is to use the monies made via goods to subsidize passenger traffic.

And, if I am not mistaken the cost of a second line on that route is rather high - due to terrain - compared to others.

Rao saab,

also., this is a dicey track due to fairly frequent rock slides that used to block the rails because of the the hilly terrain.

Must have been very expensive to build even the single line

Chetak ji, due to single line nature of line, it has severely affected the timings of all the trains passing through this corridor.

Imagine, even TVC rajdhani suffers badly due to this section so much so that average delay it accumulates between Mangalore Jn and Vasai road goes up from 80 mins to 135 mins.
Pls go through below link for more details, this is last 1.month data.
https://m.etrain.info/train/Tvc-Nzm-Raj ... 31/history

Such a long route mostly single line does not really makes sense in today's day and age. With all the advancements in construction, a completely new double line between existing line and the coast can be built at fraction of the cost of Kashmir valley line.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 18 Oct 2023 22:46

ritesh wrote: ↑18 Oct 2023 22:28
chetak wrote: ↑15 Oct 2023 22:48

Rao saab,

also., this is a dicey track due to fairly frequent rock slides that used to block the rails because of the the hilly terrain.

Must have been very expensive to build even the single line
Chetak ji, due to single line nature of line, it has severely affected the timings of all the trains passing through this corridor.

Imagine, even TVC rajdhani suffers badly due to this section so much so that average delay it accumulates between Mangalore Jn and Vasai road goes up from 80 mins to 135 mins.
Pls go through below link for more details, this is last 1.month data.
https://m.etrain.info/train/Tvc-Nzm-Raj ... 31/history

Such a long route mostly single line does not really makes sense in today's day and age. With all the advancements in construction, a completely new double line between existing line and the coast can be built at fraction of the cost of Kashmir valley line.

ritesh ji,

One agrees wholeheartedly with you but there are few points to consider:

Goa is excellently connected via sea, road, and air and their main industry is tourism and iron ore exports

Various financial strata of visitors have adapted to their own affordable means of transport

Railways in cashmere is a political issue. Cost is not of any consequence or consideration to this govt

But with a new double rail line to goa, tourism would certainly get a big boost, especially if the new VB type of trains were to run on that line

bala · Post by **bala** » 18 Oct 2023 23:19

After Vande Bharat train (which was demonstrated to run at around 180 kmph) IR realizes the huge problem of tracks and signals. Since the Britshits left India the pace of IR development is much to be desired. High speed like 200 kmph requires an upgrade for tracks, upgrade for signals, upgrade for number of lines and so on. Only recently SAIL has been making high strength steel long (120m) tracks. The amount of budget for IR is now in the lakh-crore range (trillion). IR requires roughly $ 1 T for the upgrade. The various division/sub-division of IR are little fiefdoms run at their own pace. Like the Road infrastructure, IR requires a frenetic pace of upgrade (tracks, signals, lines, railway crossings, trains, stations, service, IT and much more) to match international modern train travel norms.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 18 Oct 2023 23:26

I just checked. In India "Delay" and "train" are conjoined.

https://etrain.info/train/Mumbai-Rajdhani-12952/history

The above link is for Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani, I think it is dual track all the way through, but has 60+ minutes delay Borivali and 47 minutes at Bombay Central!!!!

At Bombay Central? Trains start/end there. So, inbound, one can understand - delays are possible. Now do the math between Bombay Central and Borivali - hey, that is just one station apart. So, technically, in the worst case, an inbound could be delayed as long as 100+ minutes!!! A Rajdhani. With only 6 stations in between!!!!

So, I checked a wee bit more:

June 23, 2023 wrote: The official further said, “Trains may get delayed due to external factors beyond railways control, for instance, constraints on account of inadequate infrastructure, or increasing passenger and freight traffic, adverse weather conditions, or heavy road traffic at level crossing gates.

________________________________________________________

Just BTW, just last month, I wrote to Sanjiv Sanyal, that I would volunteer my time to get the ball rolling on Transportation Economics in India. Ji Hai. India does NOT have even a single economist that specializes in transportation. Mr. Handsome has not responded. I guess he is waiting for a Harvard grad to write to him.

I wrote because of my concern about the number of aircraft airlines in India have placed orders for.

venkat_kv · Post by **venkat_kv** » 19 Oct 2023 01:26

chetak wrote: ↑18 Oct 2023 22:46
ritesh wrote: ↑18 Oct 2023 22:28
Chetak ji, due to single line nature of line, it has severely affected the timings of all the trains passing through this corridor.

Imagine, even TVC rajdhani suffers badly due to this section so much so that average delay it accumulates between Mangalore Jn and Vasai road goes up from 80 mins to 135 mins.
Pls go through below link for more details, this is last 1.month data.
https://m.etrain.info/train/Tvc-Nzm-Raj ... 31/history

Such a long route mostly single line does not really makes sense in today's day and age. With all the advancements in construction, a completely new double line between existing line and the coast can be built at fraction of the cost of Kashmir valley line.

ritesh ji,

One agrees wholeheartedly with you but there are few points to consider:

Goa is excellently connected via sea, road, and air and their main industry is tourism and iron ore exports

Various financial strata of visitors have adapted to their own affordable means of transport

Railways in cashmere is a political issue. Cost is not of any consequence or consideration to this govt

But with a new double rail line to goa, tourism would certainly get a big boost, especially if the new VB type of trains were to run on that line

Ritesh Saar,
I think it was Vsunder Saar and Arshyam Saar who pointed out the SC committee withdrawing environmental clearance for the project to double the lines. Sure, we can argue that the govt have pushed ahead, but they haven't taken on judiciary unless required in the most pressing issues.

viewtopic.php?p=2496440&hilit=vsunder+court#p2496440
viewtopic.php?p=2496450#p2496450

vsunder Saar, talks about the issue of the locals thinking that doubling is done for adani to move his coal stocks and the tiger reserve issue is also raised.
arshaym garu has also linked a swarajya magazine report on the same. All of these factors along with the ones Chetak Saar has mentioned with respect to Goa compound to delay trains and not just a single factor of rail minister not pushing his weight around me thinks Saar.

But if you are discussing about some other rail line, then moi would like to tender apology in advance for unwanted confusion.

Zynda · Post by **Zynda** » 19 Oct 2023 06:26

Not sure if vsunder saar still visits here...what ever happpened to running VB & other trains @130 kph between SBC & MAS. Last I heard, JTJ-AKK has been cleared for 130 but JTJ-Whitefield line is still at 110 onlee...SWR had said that July of 2023, 130 kph operations will be possible. I hope at least by this year end, increased speed operations is possible on the entire line.