Experiencing the magnificence of traveling on a high-speed train in India is a long-awaited dream that may soon become a reality. Brace yourself for the imminent transformation in the way we embark on our journeys. In this blog, we delve into the fascinating answers to questions like ‘when will the bullet train start operating in India?’ and ‘which cities will be interconnected by these bullet trains?’.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi first announced his ambitious plan to introduce bullet trains in India, many skeptics dismissed it as a mere fantasy. Even when he made an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the response was largely indifferent. However, with the recent testing of Spanish Talgo trains in Uttar Pradesh, it seems like his vision of launching high-speed trains in India has received a monumental boost.
Nevertheless, as with any government project of such magnitude, the Bullet Train India initiative will take time to come to fruition. The entire project has been divided into multiple phases, each aimed at connecting different cities across the country.
Now, let’s take an in-depth look at the different phases that will shape the very first bullet train project in India and the cities it will bring together.
Ahmedabad To Mumbai Train: Welcoming India’s Inaugural Bullet Train
Explore the following information about India’s inaugural bullet train, set to connect Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
1. India’s First Underwater Railway Track is on the Horizon
Out of the 508-kilometer-long corridor designated for the high-speed bullet train in India, a 21-kilometer stretch from Thane to Virar in Maharashtra will traverse an incredible underwater sea tunnel. This groundbreaking development will mark the birth of India’s first-ever underwater railway track.
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2. Prepare for Lightning-fast Speeds of 320 Km/h
The proposed bullet train in India is expected to operate at a staggering speed of 320 km/h, with a top speed of 350 km/h. This is a significant leap from the 160 km/h speed achieved by the recently introduced Gatiman semi-bullet train.
3. Cover the Entire Journey in Just Over 2 Hours
Compared to the 7-hour journey on the Duronto Express between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, the Bullet Train is anticipated to complete the entire distance in a mere 2 hours and 30 minutes. Along this railway line, there will be a total of 10 stations connecting these two financial centers.
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4. The Bullet Train Project Will Be One of the Most Economical in the World
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has agreed to provide funding for approximately 80% of the estimated INR 98,000 crore project. This funding will be in the form of a soft loan of INR 79,000 crore, with an incredibly low interest rate of 0.1%. The loan will have an extended tenure of 50 years. It is astonishing to think that such a large-scale project could be considered cost-effective.
5. Each Ticket is Expected to Cost INR 2,800 per Person
According to a study conducted by IIM-Ahmedabad, the financial sustainability of the bullet train project in India relies on a daily ridership of at least 88,000 passengers.
6. The Project’s Completion Target is 2023
The honorable Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu, has announced that the first bullet train in India will commence operations in 2023. Construction work is scheduled to commence by the end of 2018.
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Delhi-Varanasi High Speed Train: India’s Newest Bullet Train
Below are the particulars of an upcoming high speed train that will soon connect Delhi to Varanasi.
1. The Second Bullet Train Initiative in India
The proposed Delhi-Varanasi bullet train route spans 782 km and will include stops in Aligarh, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Sultanpur.
2. A Segment of the Extensive Delhi-Kolkata Corridor
The proposed Delhi-Varanasi stretch will be incorporated into the larger Delhi-Kolkata corridor, which spans a total of 1,513 km.
3. Traveling at Breathtaking Velocities
The travel time between Delhi and Lucknow will be under 2 hours, a significant improvement compared to the over 6 hours taken by the fastest trains on this route. Furthermore, the bullet train is estimated to cover the distance between Delhi and Kolkata, which currently takes roughly 18 hours on the Rajdhani Express, in just 5 hours.
4. However, This Progress Requires Significant Investment. Nevertheless, Costs are Comparatively Lower Than Other Bullet Train Projects.
The approximate initial cost for the Delhi-Varanasi stretch is about INR 43,000 crore. However, the entire Delhi-Kolkata corridor will require around INR 84,000 crore.
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Testing the Speed of Spanish Talgo Trains in India
However, while waiting for bullet trains to be constructed, the Indian Railways department has been conducting tests with the Spanish Talgo Superfast trains.
1. Commencing with the Bareilly-Moradabad Line in Uttar Pradesh
The Spanish Talgo train started its trial run on May 29, 2016, reaching speeds of 110-115 km/h on the Bareilly-Moradabad line in Uttar Pradesh as part of the Indian Railways’ strategy to introduce faster trains.
Consisting of nine coaches and pulled by a 4,500 HP diesel engine, this lighter and faster train completed the 90 km distance in just 70 minutes. Besides being swift, Talgo’s lighter trains consume 30% less energy.
Trial Dates: May 29 – Jun 12
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2. Followed by the Mathura-Palwal Line
After the test run on the Bareilly-Moradabad line, the Talgo train was tried on the Rajdhani route between Mathura and Palwal, reaching speeds of up to 180 km per hour.
The Indian Railways department aims to complete the Delhi-Mumbai journey in just 7 hours with the help of Talgo trains.
Trial Dates: July 9 – July 26
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3. Measures are Underway to Enhance Speed
As part of the Indian Railways’ strategy, the Gatiman Express is already zooming its way between Delhi and Agra. Currently the swiftest train in India, the Gatiman Express covers the 200 km railway route between Delhi and Agra in a mere 100 minutes.
Doubters will persist in questioning the arrival of high-speed trains in India. On the contrary, this endeavor has bestowed upon the nation its current fastest train – the Gatiman Express. This has provided a considerable boost to the struggling Indian Railways. The ongoing Talgo trial is also progressing well.
Only time will reveal the success of the bullet train plan. This will revolutionize travel in India, making it not only swift but incredibly convenient. Let us hence remain hopeful and anticipate the advent of the bullet train in India.
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