High-speed rail in India
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Hatnote". Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Use Indian English since 2025[update]Template:Dated maintenance category (articles)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., India does not have any operational high-speed rail lines capable of supporting more than Template:Cvt. Currently, the highest speed is achieved by the Bhopal Shatabdi Express, Gatiman Express, Bhopal Vande Bharat Express and Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express on the TughlakabadTemplate:NdashAgra section and the regional Namo Bharat services with peak operational speed of Template:Cvt.
Indian Railways operates India's railway system and comes under the purview of the Ministry of Railways of Government of India. since 2023[update]Template:Dated maintenance category (articles)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., it maintains over Template:Cvt of tracks and operates over 13,000 trains daily. According to the Ministry of Railways, a route capable of supporting trains operating at more than Template:Cvt is considered as a higher speed or semi-high speed rail line.
Earlier steam locomotive operated trains largely operated below Template:Cvt. With the introduction of electric locomotives in later 1920s and newer steam locomotives, speeds of Template:Cvt were achieved. With the movement to AC traction in late 1950s and introduction of diesel locomotives, commercial speeds of up to Template:Cvt was achieved in the late 1960s. With the introduction of high power electric locomotives in the 1990s, operating speeds of Template:Cvt was achieved with further developments leading to speeds of maximum speeds of Template:Cvt being realized in the early 2010s. Vande Bharat, an Electric Multiple Unit (EMU), introduced in 2018, is the fastest operational train-set and is capable of reaching Template:Cvt.
The first high-speed railway corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad of about Template:Cvt is currently under construction with a designed maximum operational speed of Template:Cvt and is expected to be operational fully by 2028-29. As of 2023, eight such corridors have also been proposed.
History
The history of the Indian Railway began in 1832 with the proposal to construct the first railway line in India at Madras. In 1837, the first train ran on Red Hill railway line between Red Hills and Chintadripet in Madras and was hauled by a rotary steam engine imported from England.[1][2] In 1853, the first passenger train ran between Bombay and Thane which covered a distance of Template:Cvt in 57 minutes, averaging a speed of Template:Cvt.[3] Earlier trains ran using steam locomotives, where barely reached speeds of Template:Cvt. With the introduction of WP class locomotives in 1947, speeds of Template:Cvt were operated commercially.[4] While the first electric train ran in Bombay in 1925 on DC traction, WCP-1 class electric locomotives were introduced in 1928, capable of speeds of up to Template:Cvt, though trains operated at lower speed.[5][6] WDM-1, the first diesel locomotive introduced in 1957 was capable of speeds of up to Template:Cvt.[7] In 1957, Indian Railways adopted 25 kV 50 Hz AC traction with the first runs beginning in December 1959 with the WAM-1 locomotives, capable of reaching speeds of up to Template:Cvt.[8]
In 1960, the Railway Board of India commissioned a study to increase the speed of its trains, which was restricted to Template:Cvt on the existent broad gauge lines.[9] A target of Template:Cvt with an intermediate stage of Template:Cvt was set for passenger trains. Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) started work on the same in 1962 with field trials commencing in 1967.[9] The coaches were manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory at Madras and hauled by diesel locomotives.[9] On 19 February 1969, the Government of India announced the introduction of a new express train capable of reaching speeds of up to Template:Cvt in the railway budget.[10] On 1 March 1969, the first Rajdhani Express was flagged off from New Delhi to Howrah, which reached a maximum speed of Template:Cvt and completed the Template:Cvt trip in 17 hours 20 minutes at an average speed of Template:Cvt.[9][11]
In 1980, the WAP-1 electric locomotives reached a speed of Template:Cvt.[12] Shatabdi Express introduced in 1988, were capable of running at a maximum speed of Template:Cvt.[13][14] WAP-5 class locomotives, initially imported from ABB in 1995 and later manufactured at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works in India, reached Template:Cvt in trials. The locomotive later set an Indian speed record by hauling a train between Delhi and Agra at a speed of Template:Cvt in 2014.[15] In December 2009, the Ministry of Railways of Government of India envisaged the implementation of regional high-speed rail projects to provide services at Template:Cvt, and planning for corridors connecting commercial, tourist, and pilgrimage hubs.[16][17] On 25 July 2013, Government of India established the High Speed Rail Corporation under Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL) for the implementation of high-speed rail corridor projects.[18][19] In 2014, the Diamond Quadrilateral high speed rail project, which would connect the cities of Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai via high-speed rail was approved by the government.[20]
In April 2016, the WAP-5 hauled Gatimaan Express became the fastest commercial train in India, with a maximum operational speed of Template:Cvt.[21] In 2018, a modified WAP-5A locomotive, capable of speeds up to Template:Cvt was rolled out.[22] HSRC was renamed as National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRC) in 2016. NHSRC identified eight corridors for the development of high speed railway.[23][24] Construction of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, India's first high-speed rail corridor started in 2021 and is expected to be operational by 2028.
In 2018, Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, rolled out a semi-high-speed EMU train-set, capable of reaching Template:Cvt.[25][26] In 2019, the first Vande Bharat Express entered commercial service with a maximum operational speed of Template:Cvt. The actual operating speed was much lower due to track restrictions and congestion with top speeds restricted to Template:Cvt for most trains.[27] In October 2023, Namo Bharat, built for RapidX by Alstom was launched and is capable of reaching speeds of up to Template:Cvt.[28] In December 2023, two modified WAP-5 locomotives were used to haul the Amrit Bharat train-set in a push-pull configuration, capable of reaching speeds of up to Template:Cvt.[29][30]
In June 2024, the Indian Government announced that rather than purchase the now legacy E5 Series Shinkansen sets, contracted, in 2016, for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor, its own, government owned, Integral Coach Factory and BEML, would produce a pair of standard gauge trains, capable of a maximum operational speed of Template:Cvt, for the line.[31] The first prototype is expected to be delivered in December 2026.[32]
In April 2025, it was reported that Japan will gift India two retired engineering train sets, one, 2011, E5 - (Doctor Yellow), and the, 2001, E3 - Class E926 Shinkansen, to help test and inspect the under-construction Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor.[33] The two train sets are to be delivered in 2026, to aid the 2027-2028 commissioning of the line.[33] The gifted Doctor Yellow will have a maximum operational speed of Template:Cvt. It was also reported that the Indian Government has a desire to purchase E10 Series Shinkansen for the corridor.[34]
Definition
According to the Ministry of Railways, a route where train can operate between Template:Cvt is considered as a higher speed or semi-high speed rail line, while the routes operating at less than Template:Cvt are considered to be conventional rail lines.[35][18] According to the International Union of Railways (IUC), a commercial speed of over Template:Cvt for a newly built line or Template:Cvt for an upgraded line is considered to be high-speed.[36]
- As of 8 April 2024Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Template:Legend inline
| Speed | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| >Template:Cvt | High-speed | Template:Cvt |
| Template:Cvt | Semi-high-speed | Template:Cvt |
| Template:Cvt | Group A | Template:Cvt |
| Template:Cvt | Group B | |
| <Template:Cvt | Group C/D/E |
Network and infrastructure
High-speed rail
As of 2023, India does not have any operational high-speed tracks. In 2016, Ministry of Railways envisaged to have top speeds of Template:Cvt with trains running on elevated corridors to isolate high-speed train tracks to prevent trespassing. Multiple feasibility studies have been done and probable routes have been identified.[37][38] In 2017, a Template:Cvt standard gauge line between Mumbai and Ahmedabad was approved for construction and is expected to be operational by 2028.[39]
- Diamond Quadrilateral
In 2014, the Diamond Quadrilateral high-speed rail network project was launched by Government of India and is envisioned to connect the four major metro cities of India namely: Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.[47][48]
| Corridor | Speed | Length | Status | <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />YearScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi–Kolkata | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | DPR under preparation | 2031 |
| Kolkata–Chennai | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | TBD | TBD Template:Refn |
| Mumbai–Chennai | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | TBD | TBD Template:Refn |
| Delhi–Mumbai | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Under construction | 2031 |
| Delhi–Chennai | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | TBD | TBD Template:Refn |
| Mumbai–Kolkata | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | TBD | TBD Template:Refn |
- Super high-speed rail
In 2016, Indian Railways explored the possibility of maglev trains to implement an over-Script error: No such module "convert". speed rail system.[49][50] In February 2019, a train model based upon the same was unveiled by Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology capable of speeds of up to Template:Cvt.[51] In September 2020, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited signed a pact with SwissRapide AG for the implementation of MagLev metro systems in India.[52]
While there are no operational hyperloop systems in the world, testing has been done and a few routes have been proposed.[53] Hyperloop One submitted a detailed project report in January 2018 for Mumbai to Pune.[54] Virgin Hyperloop signed a MoU with Government of Punjab in 2019 for building a rail to cover total Template:Cvt distance between Amritsar and Chandigarh.[55] Hyperloop One signed a MoU with Government of Karnataka to conduct a feasibility study on the Bengaluru-Chennai route in 2017.[56] Zeleros proposed a vision for a hyperloop network in India by 2050, connecting main cities.[57]
Semi-high speed rail
A Template:Cvt segment of track in the TughlakabadTemplate:NdashAgra Cantonment section supports semi-high speeds of up to Template:Cvt.[58][59] since 2023[update]Template:Dated maintenance category (articles)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., the maximum operational speed of Template:Cvt is achieved by Gatimaan Express and Vande Bharat Express on the above section.[60][61]
- Track upgrades
In 2009, Indian Railways envisioned a plan to increase the speed of passenger trains to Template:Cvt on dedicated conventional tracks and improve the existing conventional lines on Script error: No such module "Track gauge".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Broad gauge to handle speeds of up to Template:Cvt.[18] Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India has built dedicated freight corridors across India to divert cargo traffic from the passenger railway tracks, thus helping increase the operational speed of the passenger trains to Template:Cvt.[62]
- New tracks
RapidX system operating on 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Standard gauge tracks and capable of supporting speeds of up to Template:Cvt, became operational with the partial opening of Delhi–Meerut line in 2023.[68]
| Route | Speed | Length | Status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi–Meerut | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Partially operational | [69] |
| Delhi–Alwar | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Under construction | [70] |
| Delhi–Panipat | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Approved | [70] |
| Delhi–Rohtak | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Proposed | [71] |
| Delhi–Palwal | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Proposed | [71] |
| Delhi–Baraut | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Proposed | [71] |
| Ghaziabad–Khurja | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Proposed | [71] |
| Ghaziabad–Hapur | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Proposed | [71] |
| Delhi–Jewar | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Proposed | [71] |
| Hyderabad–Warangal | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Proposed | [72] |
| Hyderabad–Vijayawada | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Proposed | [72] |
| Chengannur–Pamba (Sabarimala Temple) | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | DPR Submitted, Wating for final approval | [73] |
Rolling stock
For high-speed rail, the Indian railways will construct bullet train assembly facilities on a public-private participation (PPP) model. As per NHSRCL, Japanese companies will set up manufacturing facilities in India to build the parts for bullet train sets.[74] For semi-high speed rail, Indian Railways had already rolled out Train 18 in 2018. These self-propelled EMU train sets manufactured by Integral Coach Factory are capable of reaching Script error: No such module "convert"..[75] These trains have eight or sixteen coaches with driver cabins on both ends, which eliminates the time needed for turnaround at the terminal station with faster acceleration and deceleration, enabling the train to travel at a top speed for longer distance.[76][77]
| Name | Image | Origin | Manufacturer | Trainsets | Lines | Type | Gauge size | Gauge type | Traction | Max speed (km/h) | Status | <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />YearScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potential | Operational | ||||||||||||
| Semi-high-speed | |||||||||||||
| Vande Bharat (Prototype) | File:Vande Bharat express for Katra IMG 20200131 054006.jpg | India | ICF | 2 | 1 | EMU | 1676mm | Broad-gauge | Electric | 180[78][79] | 130[80] | In service | 2019 |
| Vande Bharat | File:Thiruvananthapuram Kasaragod Vande Bharat Express (via Alappuzha) - 1st Rake.jpg | India | ICF | 53 | 51 | EMU | 1676mm | Broad-gauge | Electric | 180 | 160 | In service | 2022 |
| Namo Bharat | File:Namo Bharat Train closeup.jpg | India | Alstom | 210 | 1 | EMU | 1435mm | Standard-gauge | Electric | 180 | 160 | In service | 2023 |
| High-speed | |||||||||||||
| E5 Series Shinkansen | File:Shinkansen (bullet train) : The Hayabusa super express (Series E5 train).JPG | Japan | Hitachi Rail & Kawasaki |
None (24 planned)[81][82] | N/A | EMU | 1435mm | Standard-gauge | Electric (25 kV 50 Hz AC) | 320 | N/A | Planned | 2026[81] |
Construction
Mega carrier and launcher machines or transporter, gantry, and full span launcher machines are machines used to construct viaducts (elevated structures) for bullet train corridors in China. These vehicles carry an entire girder by traveling on already launched girders to place the next one. The speed was several times faster compared to India's conventional girder launching mechanism, with the Chinese machine laying two girders a day on an average compared to one and a half girders in a week by the Indian counterpart.[83] NHSRCL then asked L&T which was constructing the Template:Cvt stretch of Mumbai-Ahmedabad line to build such machines. The machine costs around Template:INRconvert and 30 such machines were required to construct the Template:Cvt elevated stretch.[83] On 9 September 2021, India joined four other countries, to possess Full Span Launching Methodology (FSLM) technology after L&T was able to develop the machine successfully. NHSRCL planned to acquire 20 such machines initially for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project in order to speed up construction. These machines could be later deployed to build viaducts for elevated roads and rapid transit systems across India.[84][85]
Research
National Academy of Indian Railways, Vadodara was established in 2018 with the aim of developing indigenously high-speed train manufacturing technology.[86][87][88] Other institutions focused on Railway technology research and development are: IIT BHU Malviya Centre for Railway Technology, IIT Kharagpur Centre for Railways Research and Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO). Integral Coach Factory(ICF) Chennai has been tasked with producing steel body trains capable of 280kmph and in service speed of 250kmph for the bullet train routes.[89]
Records
Criticism
The choice of the standard gauge for high-speed rail goes against the Project Unigauge, which aimed to convert all existing tracks to a single gauge.[90] Some of the criticisms also suggest that India should aim for modernising its existing railway network before pursuing high-speed rail.
See also
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- Future of rail transport in India
- List of high-speed railway lines in India
- Urban rail transit in India
- List of high-speed railway lines
- High-speed railways
Notes
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References
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External links
- Script error: No such module "Official website".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". — High Speed Rail Corporation India Limited
Template:High-speed rail in India Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Transport in India Template:Indian Railways