Question : HIGH SPEED TRIANS

(a) whether the Railways propose to increase the speed of super-fast trains to 150 KMPH or more and develop corresponding infrastructure and operational features as part of modernization in consultation with Commissioner of Railway Safety for safety and security of passengers;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the further steps taken to increase production of newly designed passenger friendly coach capable of smooth running at high speed fitted with new safety features, to make rakes of these coaches for all the high speed long distance super- fast trains by 2010; and

(d) the specific technological features of these coaches which make them more comfortable and secure in running in high speed ?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI R. VELU )

(a) to (d): A statement is attached.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2562 ASKED BY SHRI K. S. RAO TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 30.08.2007 REGARDING HIGH SPEED TRIANS.

(a) & (b): The Indian Railways have no plans for increasing the speed of all super-fast trains to 150 KMPH.

However, Indian Railways had planned to run its first Shatabdi train to 150 KMPH. The Indian Railways have started from 15.02.2006, running the Bhopal Shatabdi train at 150 KMPH on the New Delhi-Agra section and have also identified the New Delhi-Kanpur-Lucknow section for making it suitable for running trains at 150 KMPH.

(c)&(d): At present, Rail Coach Factory at Kapurthala has the necessary infrastructural & design capability to manufacture coaches for running trains at 150 KMPH. Railways have no plans at present to run all high-speed trains at speed of 150 KMPH. These new design coaches have a number of modern features and advantages like better riding comfort for passengers due to superior bogie and suspension, aesthetic interiors, superior technology toilets, higher speed potential enhanced safety through anti-climbing features, modern Brake system essential for higher speeds, superior materials for corrosion prevention, light weight, higher passenger capacity per coach, etc.