Udhana

High-speed rail in China Now in India 350 km/h |PM Modi's dream

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• published: 29 Jul 2016
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India has one of the largest rail networks in the world, but as of 2015 it does not consist of any line classed as high-speed rail (HSR), which allows an operational speed of 200 km/h or more.[1] The current fastest train in India is the Gatimaan Express that runs with a top speed of 160 km/h, with average speed of above 100 km/hr[2] between Delhi and Agra. Prior to the 2014 general election, the two major national parties (Bharatiya Janata Party and INC) pledged to introduce high-speed rail. The INC pledged to connect all of India's million-plus cities by high-speed rail,[3] whereas BJP, which won the election, promised to build the Diamond Quadrilateral project, which would connect via high-speed rail the cities of Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai.[4] The project was confirmed as a project of priority for the new government in the President's speech.[5] Construction of one kilometer of high speed railway track will cost Rs. 100 - 140 crore which is 10 to 14 times higher than the construction of a normal railway track.[6] India's Prime minister Narendra Modi approved the choice of Japan to build India's first high-speed railway. The planned railway would run some 500 kilometers (310 miles) between Maharashtra capital Mumbai and the western city of Ahmedabad, at a top speed of 320 km/h.[7][8] Under the Japanese proposal, construction is expected to begin in 2017 and be completed in 2023. It would cost about ₹980 billion (US$15 billion) and be financed by a low-interest loan from Japan.[9] India will use the wheel based 300 km/hr HSR technology, instead of new maglev 600 km/hr technology of the Japan used in Chūō Shinkansen. Why traveling by high speed trains? 1. Fast: The present operational speed of China trains high speed type is 155mi-186mi/h (250-300km/h), greatly shortening the journey time. For instance, the duration from Beijing to Shanghai has been shortened from previous 15 hours to about 5 hours. 2. Punctual: Being different from flights, they are less influenced by weather or traffic control, hence able to arrive at their destinations on time. 3. Convenient: CRH trains are scheduled more frequently than normal ones and many of the high speed railway stations are reachable by subway, making rail journey much more convenient than before. 4. Reasonable price: Although the ticket may be a little higher than a normal train ticket, it is much cheaper than a flight. Take the journey from Beijing to Shanghai for instance, a soft sleeper on a normal train is CNY476.5, a second class on a bullet one is CNY553; while the full fare of an economic class seat on a plane is over CNY 1,000. 5. Comfortable: The carriages are much better equipped than the old-generation carriages, and can rival airplanes. Seats are wider and softer, windows are bigger, and washrooms are cleaner… All these ensure passengers a comfortable and pleasant journey. 6. Safe: The bullet trains are operated by advanced technological communication systems to ensure passengers’ safety. Bharatiya Janata Party