By Anusha Bhagat
In 1853, the Indian travel and transport ecosystem witnessed a revolutionary change with the introduction of the first passenger locomotive between Bombay and Thane. Today, the Indian Railways is on the brink of another grounding-breaking milestone. An official press-release reveals the details.
On September 14, 2017, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, unveiled separate plaques marking the inauguration and commencement of work of the prestigious Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project (MAHSR) at Sabarmati, Gujarat. The top political leadership of Gujarat, Maharashtra and the Union Ministry of Railways were present in the inauguration ceremony. O.P. Kohli, Governor of Gujarat, was the guest of honour.
Redefining the way people commute
The MAHSR project marks the arrival of the fastest means of ground transportation for the citizens of India with a long-term impact and transformative effect. The project makes India a part of the elite club of countries with state-of-the-art high-speed railway systems.
Indians will now have access to not only an opportunity for leveraging critical change in land transport but also to world-class and epochal social rejuvenation. This project marks a sweeping redefinition of the development vision, engineering, technological infusion, and economic-social catalysis. The MAHSR is a major step forward in creating a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem for new-age and ‘New India’ initiatives.
Salient features: Safety and high speed
The MAHSR design is based on proven Japanese Shinkansen high-speed railway system with a record of zero casualties in its 50 years of operation. Key features of the system include a dedicated railway track with no railroad crossings, Automatic Train Control systems ensuring minimum human interface, and accurate braking and cutting-edge Disaster Prevention System against strong winds, heavy rains, high rail temperatures, and earthquakes.
The MAHSR shall be operated at a speed of 320 kmph with the top speed being 350 kmph. This will dramatically reduce the travel time to 2.07 hrs (with limited stops) and 2.58 hrs (while stopping at all stations) between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The train will cross 70 highway crossings, 30 railway crossings, 173 major bridges, in addition to other small roads and landmarks. The train will also cross 20 major rivers in its journey.
Initially, each train will have 10 cars with a capacity with 75 seats and with adequate frequency for passenger convenience. Progressively, the 10 car trains would be replaced by 16 car trains with 1,250 seats and the number of trains per day would also be increased to ensure convenience to passengers.
Comfort and energy-efficiency
The rail cars will have a double-skin aluminium alloy body for reduced weight and better ride comfort. The nose of the train has a specially designed pantograph to reduce noise and tunnel boom. The coaches will be designed to have the highest comfort with state-of-the-art suspension systems and dampers. They will also have rotating chairs so that they face in the direction of train movementthereby allowing families and friends to sit facing each other.
The MAHSR will be more energy-efficient than competing modes of transport and also more eco-friendly. It will have one of the lowest power to seat ratio of 13.13 kW per seat. This energy efficiency is enabled by reduced weight, aerodynamic profile, smoother curves, efficient propulsion system, reduced journey time for auxiliaries, and a homogeneous speed profile. All the energy needs of the project shall be primarily met through electricity generated within the country, and not through imported fuel.
Investment
The MAHSR Project was sanctioned with the technical and financial assistance of the Japanese government in December 2015. The cost of this mega project is estimated at Rs 1,10,000 crore. A soft loan from the Japanese government covers 81% of the total project cost. The loan has been offered at an interest rate of 0.1% with repayment over 50 years and a moratorium for the first 15 years. This is, in fact, the best soft term-loan under the ODA (Overseas Development Assistance) programme.
Make in India objectives
The MAHSR incorporates key Make in India and Transfer of Technology (TOT) objectives. Four sub-groups with representatives from Indian industry, Japanese industry, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), NHSRCL and Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO) have been set up to identify potential items and subsystems for Make in India. Sector-specific meetings of established Japanese manufacturers with prospective Indian manufacturers have already been held and more are planned to facilitate “match-making”.
Japanese firms are welcome to set up partnerships and manufacturing bases in India. The government has advised Indian firms to avail this opportunity for technical upgradations. The advantage to Japanese companies would be an access to the big and growing Indian Railways and Metro Railway market. The lower cost of production in India will make Japanese products cost-competitive for exports. Thus, it is a win-win proposition for both countries.
Catalyst for growth and development
Worldwide, the high-speed rail is being seen as a catalyst for economic growth. The fast, comfortable and convenient connectivity of the large commercial centres of the two states would help facilitate businesses, industries and economy. The construction of well-connected stations in twelve cities would be a boost to the development of related businesses in station vicinity and a boon for transit-oriented development goals. The construction of this large state-of-the-art infrastructure and consequent operation and maintenance will help in the growth of railway-related industries in general and consequent employment generation.
A High-Speed Railway technology training centre will come up in Vadodara with world-class simulators, teaching techniques, practical laboratories, and hostels. Human Resources would be developed for the operation, maintenance and management of the High-Speed Rail corridor through various training programs. 300 officials would be trained in Japan, who will later help train 4,000 officials. These officials would go on to become the backbone of India’s future high-speed railway plans. The project is set to energise the ‘New India Mission’ of the government.
Featured Image Source: PM INDIA