Indian Railways is planning to reduce the speed of premium trains like Vande Bharat and Gatiman Express on specific routes from 160 kmph to 130 kmph in a move to bolster safety measures.
According to sources cited by The Hindu, the North Central Railway has formally proposed to the Railway Board to implement this speed reduction for several trains: Gatiman Express (Train No 12050/12049 Delhi-Jhansi-Delhi), Vande Bharat Express to Khajuraho (Train No 22470/22469 Delhi-Khajuraho-Delhi), and two Vande Bharat Express services to Rani Kamalapati (Train No 20172/20171 and Train No 12002/12001 Delhi-Rani Kamalapati-Delhi).
As per the proposal, the speed of Gatiman and Vande Bharat Express trains will be decreased from 160 kmph to 130 kmph, while the speed of Shatabdi Express will be lowered from 150 kmph to 130 kmph as part of this safety initiative.
The report noted that this speed adjustment will extend the travel time of these trains by approximately 25-30 minutes.
Despite the Northern Railway's proposal to either eliminate TPWS or lower train speeds to 130 kmph, which had been under consideration by the Railway Board since November 6, 2023, the North Central Railway introduced a new proposal on June 25, 2024, to reduce train speeds to 130 kmph.
According to a report of the Divisional Railway Manager, repair or maintenance of TPWS was not possible, so the Railway Board was requested to downgrade the premium trains to be operated “at a much safer speed of 130 kmph”, the sources told The Hindu.
The Hindu further reported that the Railway Board will likely approve the proposal to reduce the speed of premium trains. Two zonal railways have formally requested this change, citing safety concerns.
This adjustment will necessitate revising the speed or schedules of approximately 8-10 other trains. The running times of these trains are expected to be adjusted to maintain operational efficiency alongside the premium trains.
Over the past two years, concerns over the safety of train operations have intensified following several tragic accidents resulting in multiple casualties.
Key incidents include the severe collision involving three trains, including the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express, in Odisha's Kharagpur Division on June 2, 2023. On October 11, 2023, train number 12506 Anand Vihar Terminal-Kamakhya Junction North East Express derailed near Raghunathpur Railway Station in Buxar district of Bihar. A rear-end collision of two passenger trains in Andhra Pradesh's Waltair Division on October 29, 2023. The recent Kanchanjunga Express accident in West Bengal's Katihar Division on June 17, 2024. These incidents were reportedly attributed to signal failures and alleged negligence by locomotive pilots and other personnel.
