There is no clear roadmap to increase the speed of freight as well as express trains by 25kmph. Just using higher loco power or using MUMU/DEMU/trainsets instead of the conventional loco hauled trains shall not be enough to give a 25kmph jump in speed. These are more like cosmetic changes.
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The most important factors to be considered for increasing avg speed of trains which need long tern action plan are:
(1)...
more... Decongesting the railway track through capacity augmentation so that no unscheduled stop is made by any train
(2) Improving the track geometry of track where ever needed (required at large number of locations) to permit unhindered operation of train at its booked speed. Most of the tracks were laid more than a century ago when trains used to operat at much slower speed and construction technology was vintage, hence the track layout was chosen accordingly with lot of curves, minimisation of bridges and tunnels. Today the requirements as well as resources available, both has undergone sea changes. So renovation of (100-150 year) old IR network is required much like renovation/alteration of 50 year old building. Weak foundations, track layout, stronger/heavier rails/sleepers, better signalling/interlocking system, better technology train rakes
(3) Employing the state of the art automatic signalling
(4) Segregating freight and express trains by having dedicated tracks for both types of trains. Only 2 DFCs (2800kms) are in progress Remaining 4 DFCs (7000kms) is yet to begin.
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Permanent way is the limiting factor for the speed of Indian trains, its locos and coaches are fit to much higher speed. If track capacity is enough and train makes no unscheduled and there are no permanent speed restriction (only temporary ones for allowing just maintenance activities), 25kmph jump in avg speed can be achieved with present rakes and present max speeds of 110 (ICF) & 130(LHB) kmph on IR routes.
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In a nutshell 25kmph jump in avg speed for IR is almost impossible to achieve in stipulate 5 years. Probably 1-2 years have already passed. Only on MUM-BCT & MUM-HWH route it could be possible after DFCs are commissioned but certainly not in rest of IR network.
