The maximum speed of
trains in India is higher than some of the foreign
countries. However data on average speed
of trains of other countries is not maintained by Indian Railways. The overall
average speed including halts of mail and express trains running in the country
for the year 2009-10 is 50.0 and 35.8 kilometers per hour for broad gauge and
meter gauge respectively. The
increase/decrease in the speed of trains in last five years is as follows:
Year
|
Gauge
|
Speed
|
Percentage Increase/Decrease
|
2005-06
|
BG
MG
|
47.9
36.2
|
1.91
8.06
|
2006-07
|
BG
MG
|
48.2
35.2
|
0.63
-2.76
|
2007-08
|
BG
MG
|
49.1
35.7
|
1.87
1.42
|
2008-09
|
BG
MG
|
49.9
36.0
|
1.63
0.84
|
2009-10
|
BG
MG
|
50.0
35.8
|
0.20
-0.56
|
Speeding
up of trains is a constant endeavour and continuous process on Indian Railways
and is dependent on constant optimization of the investments made by Railways
in modernization of technology, high powered locos, modern coaches (LHB, air
brake, CBC) and better tracks. Railways
are also coming up with dedicated freight corridors, which would lead to segregation
of freight and passenger traffic and would increase average speed of both
freight and passenger trains on relevant corridors.
This information was given by the Minister of
State for Railways, Shri E. Ahamed in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
AKS/HK/LK/TR