Future of rail transport in India: Difference between revisions

 

==Trains==

====High-speed rail====

Feasibility studies for five [[high-speed rail]] corridors were conducted between 2009 and 2010. A "[[Diamond Quadrilateral]]" has been planned to connect [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Kolkata]], and [[Chennai]] with a high-speed train network.<ref name="vibrant">{{cite web|title=Indian Railways choose vibrant colors for semi-high speed train coaches|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/article/india-news/indian-railways-choose-vibrant-colors-for-semi-high-speed-train-coaches-check-irctc-co-in/191546/|work=The Financial Express |date=10 January 2016|accessdate=12 January 2016}}</ref> The Indian government conducted joint surveys with a Japanese government team in 2014, finally approving a corridor between Mumbai and [[Ahmedabad]]. The new high-speed service will use a Japanese [[Shinkansen]] system and locomotives. The cost of procuring the technology is estimated to be around {{INRConvert|110000|c|0}}. India and Japan signed agreements for the project in December 2015; the Japanese government will fund 81% of the total cost with a soft loan fixed at a nominal interest rate.<ref>{{cite web|title=India and Japan ink pacts on bullet train, defense, nuclear energy|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-and-japan-ink-pacts-on-bullet-train-defence-nuclear-energy/articleshow/50149238.cms|work=Economic Times |date=13 December 2015|accessdate=11 January 2016}}</ref> A special committee has recommended the trains be run on an elevated corridor for an additional cost of {{INRConvert|10000|c|0}}, to avoid the difficulties of acquiring land, building underpasses, and constructing protective fencing.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train may run on elevated corridor|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/mumbai-ahmedabad-bullet-train-may-run-on-elevated-corridor/|work=The Indian Express |date=8 January 2016|accessdate=11 January 2016}}</ref> Indian Railways will operate the corridor for a five-year period after its commissioning, and afterwards will be turned over to a private operator.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bullet trains will go to private operator after first 5 years|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/govt-to-allow-private-train-operators-in-indias-first-bullet-train-corridor/|work=The Indian Express |date=6 January 2016|accessdate=11 January 2016}}</ref>