Trains operating between Delhi and Agra are expected to return to their maximum permissible speed of 160 kmph soon. Indian Railways has concluded the installation of the indigenous Kavach Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system along the corridor, with safety trials currently underway.
A total of eight services, including Vande Bharat, Gatimaan Express, and Shatabdi trains, were running at a restricted speed of 130 kmph. According to a Railway Board letter dated June 24, 2024, the speed limit was capped until the Kavach system was fully functional. This restriction affected the Hazrat Nizamuddin-Rani Kamalapati and Hazrat Nizamuddin-Khajuraho Vande Bharat services, along with the New Delhi-Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi Gatimaan Express.
Gagan Goyal, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) for Agra, confirmed that the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) is conducting the necessary trials following the installation. Kavach is a safety-certified system that utilizes RFID tags, stationary control units at stations, and dedicated towers to ensure safe operations at higher speeds.
Looking ahead, the government has approved the Northern Corridor of a proposed bullet train network. Once completed, this project aims to reduce the travel time between Delhi and Agra to approximately 59 minutes, potentially facilitating faster transit for both domestic and international tourists visiting the Taj Mahal.
Key facts
- The Kavach Automatic Train Protection system is certified to Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4) standards.
- Gatimaan Express, launched in 2016, was India's first semi-high-speed train, initially covering the Delhi-Agra route in 100 minutes.
- Current speed restrictions of 130 kmph were mandated by a Railway Board order issued on June 24, 2024.
- Proposed bullet train plans estimate a Delhi-Agra travel time of 59 minutes, though these figures remain indicative.
Background
The Gatimaan Express was introduced in April 2016 as a 160 kmph service. While the Vande Bharat and Gatimaan services previously operated at higher speeds on this stretch, the implementation of the Kavach system was a prerequisite set by the Railway Board to maintain safety standards across the section.
Source: Economic Times
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