New Delhi: Railways today successfully held a second trial of a semi-high speed train between Delhi and Agra as it looks to introduce the service on the route in November. The train covered the 197-km distance between Agra and Nizamuddin within the stipulated time of 90 minutes set for the trial, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Anurag Sachan told PTI.
Sachan said that the first trial, held in July, was a safety trial and the one today was for finalising the time scheduling. The first semi-high speed train service is expected to be flagged off in November. Equipped with a 5,400HP electric engine, the 10-coach train with two power cars ran at an average speed of 125-130kmph and touched a maximum speed of 160kmph on the upgraded rail system, he said.
The time taken at present by Shatabdi Express to complete a journey between the two stations is 120 minutes. “In the earlier trial, we had stopped the movement of other trains on the adjacent track but this time, train functioning was not allowed to be affected,” Sachan added.
There are a few speed restriction areas and curves on the Delhi-Agra route which have been upgraded over the past three months to improve the speed of the train. Sachan said steps have been taken to strengthen the track, upgrade the signalling system and put up fencing along some of the vulnerable stretches of the route.
As to the cost of the project, Sachan said “About Rs 15 crore was the cost of the upgrades and fencing.” Railway is planning to next year launch semi high-speed trains on eight routes, including Delhi-Kanpur and Delhi-Chandigarh.
