Come December, reaching Agra from Delhi would be possible in 90 minutes as Railways will launch a special 12-coach train, which would run at the speed of 160 km per hour, a first of its kind for the national transporter.
"We are hopeful that the semi-high speed train for Agra will be operational in December and with this the travel time is expected to be reduced to 90 minute from the current 126 minute," Railway Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar said here.
The train is seen as a boon for tourists visiting the world heritage site Taj Mahal.
"We are trying to make it operational with our own resources. It is estimated to cost about Rs 15 crore to make the track ready for the semi-high speed train," Kumar said, adding, certain modifications and upgradation would be made to the existing tracks in the system.
After Delhi to Agra, Railways will run similar trains for Kanpur and Chandigarh from the national capital.
There will be fencing at a stretch of 27 km along the track between Delhi and Agra to prevent obstruction and ensure speed. The fencing off the track will cost Rs 4 cr, Kumar said.
There are about 16 speed restriction areas and curves on the Delhi-Agra route which will be upgraded to improve the speed.
The high-level meeting was held to review the progress on the proposed upgrade and strengthening of rail track between Delhi and Agra for running semi-high speed trains in the sector.
Till date, Railways has been able to record the maximum speed of a train at 140 km per hour.
Railways has also proposed to run bullet train at 350 km per hour speed between Mumbai-Ahmadabad sector. There are two studies being undertaken by France and Japan for the bullet train project.
Our aim is to run a high volume low fare high speed train in the Mumbai-Ahemedabad sector, Kumar said.
