Vande Bharat 20-Coach Trial to Boost Mumbai-Ahmedabad Connection

A 20-coach Vande Bharat train is scheduled to undergo a crucial trial run on the Ahmedabad-Vadodara-Mumbai Central route on August 9, 2024. This test is a key step towards the introduction of semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Delhi corridor, aiming to enhance connectivity and reduce travel times.

The trial run, which will see the train reach a maximum speed of 130 kmph, is conducted under the aegis of the Indian Railways’ Research, Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), with participation from senior railway engineers across various departments. The train, which departed from Lucknow on August 5, 2024, arrived in Ahmedabad on August 6. Preparations for the trial included the installation of essential equipment for oscillation trials, necessary for assessing various operational parameters. The 20-coach train will commence its trial from Ahmedabad at 7 am and is expected to arrive at Mumbai Central by approximately 11 am.

Modifications to the train include minor technical adjustments that are not visible to passengers, as well as some alterations to the train’s nose. The train will adhere to speed restrictions and adjustments along the route as required. Following the trial, the train will be returned to Ahmedabad on the same day and subsequently transported back to Lucknow on August 10. Previously, trials for Vande Bharat trains at speeds of up to 160 kmph were anticipated on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. Preparations for this high-speed trial have involved significant infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of safety barriers, reinforcement of 120 bridge approaches using geocells, and the replacement of seven bridges.

Additionally, the railways have straightened 134 curves and increased the ballast under the tracks to enhance speed capability. The proposed upgrade to 160 kmph speeds is expected to cut the current 5.25-hour journey time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad by 45 to 60 minutes. The Mumbai-Surat-Vadodara-Delhi corridor is also slated for a speed enhancement to 160 kmph. The overall project cost for these upgrades within the Western Railway’s domain is estimated at INR 3,959 crore, with the full budget for the route extending to Delhi pegged at INR 10,000 crore. Currently, over 50 trains operate between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, including services such as Vande Bharat, Tejas, and Shatabdi Express.

These trains vary in speed across different segments of the route, with speeds of 100 kmph on the Mumbai Central-Borivali stretch and higher speeds between Virar and Ahmedabad. Efforts are also underway to expedite train services on the extensive Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors, which are critical for enhancing the efficiency of India’s rail network.