India's fastest train has been running at 83 kmph, built to hit 180 kmph
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New Delhi: Vande Bharat Express, India's fastest train, has been running at around 83 kmph for the last two years even though it has the capacity to run at 180 kmph. A reply to an RTI query has revealed that this is due to poor track conditions.
The query was filed by Madhya Pradesh-based Chandra Shekhar Gaur who pointed out that the average speed of the semi-high-speed train was 84.48 kmph in 2021-22, while the same was 81.38 kmph in 2022-23.
Officials said that the trains have been capped at 130 kmph for commercial operations due to track conditions. Over most stretches in the network, the trains are unable to hit even this speed.
They added that the speed of these trains varies depending on the track conditions. The Mumbai CSMT-Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat Express has the lowest average speed of around 64kmph. The first Vande Bharat Express train launched in 2019 - New Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express - has the fastest average of 95 kmph. The Rani Kamalapati (Habibganj)-Hazrat Nizamuddin Vande Bharat Express is a close second with 94 kmph.
An official said that the average speed of Vande Bharat trains is still better than Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express trains. "One has to understand that no mode of transport can maintain its maximum speed throughout its journey. The condition of the surface it is running on determines its speed. The average speed of each Vande Bharat train in every section is faster than the fastest train in that section. For example, it is running with a maximum permissible speed of 160 kmph between Agra Cantt-Tughlakabad."
The Vande Bharat Express is an electric multiple-unit train operated by the Indian Railways. There are 14 of them currently running on prime routes. They cut the average travel time by several hours. The advanced version of these trains will be able to hit a maximum speed of 200 kmph.