Local trains on CR, WR to soon run at 110 kmph; pave way for 20% more services
At present, local trains on CR (1,774 daily services) and WR (1,367 daily services) run at an average speed of 80-100 kmph, depending on the train’s make and route (Representational Image, Courtesy: Reuters)
Local trains on both Central Railway and Western Railway will soon ply at speeds of 110 kmph and above, paving way for additional services on the routes.
The decision is part of the Railway Board’s plan to increase the average speed of trains on all sections. The plan will first focus on the Mumbai suburban section, which carries close to 80 lakh passengers daily.
At present, local trains run at an average speed of 80-100 kmph, depending on the train’s make and route. The increase in speed to 110 kmph will pave way for more services.
“We are looking at improving train speed in three stages. In the first stage, the local train speed will be increased to 110 kmph and above,” said Rajesh Agarwal, Member Rolling Stock, Railway Board.
The Central Railway operates 1,774 local train services while the Western Railway runs 1,367 services every day. The move to increase the speed will augment the network’s passenger carrying capacity by allowing more suburban services on the existing network.
The higher speed can increase the number of daily services across divisions by around 20 percent, senior railway officials have said.
In the second stage, the Railways plans to introduce MEMU services between Mumbai-Nashik, Mumbai-Pune, and Bhusawal-Nashik, all of which will be completed within two hours.
At the national level, the Railways will run the first train to be partially operated by a private operator. The first service by a private operator will run by September between Delhi and Lucknow.
In the third stage, the transport body will undertake extensive track upgrade and infrastructure work.
