Why Vande Bharat Express Speed Has Slowed Down
The Vande Bharat Express, India’s flagship semi-high-speed train, has captured the imagination of the nation since its launch, with its sleek design and impressive speed potential. However, concerns have been raised regarding its decreasing operational speed, sparking questions about the train’s performance.
Despite its capacity to reach speeds of 160 km/h, the Vande Bharat Express is currently not achieving its maximum speed, leading some Members of Parliament to seek clarification from railway officials on the issue. In response to these concerns, a senior railway official recently addressed the matter, providing insights into what is hindering the train’s speed.
The official explained that the speed of any train is not solely determined by the train itself but also by the quality of the track infrastructure it operates on. They highlighted that improvements to India’s railway tracks are ongoing and that substantial progress has been made in recent years. In 2014, only 31,000 km of tracks were capable of supporting speeds of 110 km/h and above.
However, this has now expanded to approximately 80,000 km, marking a significant leap forward. The official also mentioned that as part of an overarching initiative to improve rail services across India, the focus is on continuously upgrading tracks to allow trains to operate at their full potential. With 136 Vande Bharat trains now in service across the country, the speed and operational efficiency of these trains depend heavily on the tracks they run on, in addition to their design. Since its inauguration on February 15, 2019, the Vande Bharat Express has become a critical part of India’s rail infrastructure, connecting key cities and reducing travel times significantly.
While the trains are still the fastest in India, surpassing even the Shatabdi and Rajdhani Express, the government’s long-term plan includes upgrades to both the trains and the tracks to ensure that they operate at their optimal capacity. The Vande Bharat Express represents a new chapter in India’s quest to modernise its rail network. As the government continues its commitment to infrastructural improvements, passengers can expect even faster, more reliable services in the future.
