Indian Railways to Scale Down Speed of Vande Bharat and Gatiman Express Trains

New Delhi: In a strategic move aimed at enhancing safety measures on select routes, the Indian Railways has decided to lower the speed of premium trains, including the prestigious Vande Bharat and Gatiman Express, from 160 kmph to 130 kmph. This decision, attributed to recent safety concerns and operational evaluations, is expected to increase travel times marginally while prioritizing passenger safety.

Sources within the railway administration revealed that the North Central Railway has formally proposed to the Railway Board the reduction in speed for several high-profile trains. Specifically, the affected services include the Delhi-Jhansi-Delhi Gatiman Express, Delhi-Khajuraho-Delhi Vande Bharat Express, Delhi-Rani Kamalapati-Delhi Vande Bharat Express, and Delhi-Rani Kamalapati-Delhi Shatabdi Express routes.

The rationale behind this adjustment, according to railway officials, stems from ensuring a safer operational environment amid challenges with the Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS) along critical routes like Delhi-Agra-Jhansi. This move follows recent incidents such as the collision involving the Kanchanjunga Express in West Bengal, underscoring the need for stringent safety protocols.

Former Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer of Integral Coach Factory and key figure in the development of Vande Bharat Express, Shubhranshu, expressed reservations about the decision. He argued that slowing down trains due to TPWS issues may not address the root cause of safety lapses, citing instances where even slower moving trains were involved in accidents.

Moreover, concerns have been raised over the readiness of railway infrastructure to support higher speeds consistently. Despite technological advancements like Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches capable of higher speeds, operational constraints have often limited trains to slower velocities for safety reasons. The reduction in speed for Vande Bharat and Gatiman Express trains is part of a broader safety review within the Indian Railways, responding to recent accidents that have highlighted vulnerabilities in existing operational practices. Efforts are underway to streamline operations and ensure that safety remains paramount across the railway network.