Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train to run every 20 minutes, NHSRCL confirms
New Delhi : The much-talked about Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train is expected to run on 15 August 2022. As of now, the Managing Director of the National High Speed Railway Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) confirms that the rain would be available every 20 minutes from the originating station at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai.
Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor is an under-construction. It will be India's first high-speed rail line to connect Ahmedabad of Gujarat state with Mumbai of Maharashtra state. While the bullet train will be designed with ten coaches consisting of one executive coach and nine general coaches by 2023, the total number of coaches would be increased to 15 by 2033. The increase of train coaches will help to handle additional passenger traffic in peak hours.
On Sunday, the Managing Director of the National High Speed Railway Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) said that the proposed Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train service would be available every 20 minutes from the originating station at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai, Achal Khare. Also, three train services will operate on during peak hours, two train services would operate during non-peak hours.
Manufacturers of bullet train believes that the carrier would run at a speed of 320 kmph is expected to travel from Mumbai to Ahmedabad within two hours. At present, it takes seven hours by train and an hour by flight to reach the desired destination.
Senior railway officials say that the segment continues to remain in high demand with the Western Railway operating at least 20 trains daily. Every day as many as 10 flights operate between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to meet to the passenger travel demand.
Achal Khare said- “There would be 35 pairs of bullet train services, which means the trains will make 70 trips in a day between the two cities. During the peak hour (7am to 10 am in the morning and 5pm to 9 pm in evening) we plan to run services of three trains, and two trains during off-peak hours between the cities. This would be on a daily basis.”
As for now, there are 12 stations on the bullet train route —- BKC, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Baroda, Anand, Sabarmati and Ahmedabad. The NHSRCL would run both fast trains that would halt at Mumbai, Surat, Baroda and Ahmedabad and trains would stop at all 12 stations.
“We are in the process to buy 24 bullet train rakes of E-5 series running on Shinkansen technology from the Japanese government. To ensure there are enough train rakes, we would keep 20 trains in operation and the rest on standby for emergencies. This would ensure a free flow of services on the route,” Khare added.
As per official data, the Mumbai to Ahmedabad trains/flights sees passenger traffic mainly has entrepreneurs and textile and diamond merchants. Khare said the bullet train would also attract air travellers who spend roughly three hours on average to travel to and from the airport in addition to flight time.
“According to our study, there are as many as 4,700 passengers who travel daily by flights between Mumbai and Amhedabad. While 5,000 passengers take trains every day, around 15,000 people use cars to commute. We plan to carry at least 40,000 passengers on a daily basis between the two cities once the bullet train is in operation,” Khare added.
Reports confirmed that India’s bullet train would have ten coaches consisting of one executive coach and nine general coaches by 2023, the total number of coaches would increase to 15 by 2033 to cater to the need of increasing passenger traffic. There would be 750 seats in a ten-coach train and 1,250 seats in a fifteen-coach train.
“There would be both general and reserved coaches on the train that would allow passengers to travel unreserved. Baggage checking facility would be available at stations which would not take much time. While passenger luggage would be parked in the luggage carrying space near the coach, small bags and handbags could be kept in overhead compartments,” Khare added.
Also, the bullet train will have separate washrooms for men and women. There would have seven toilets for men and women and an exclusive women’s toilet. Folding beds, rotating chairs would be among the other features, to add.
The Managing Director of NHSRCL also added, “The Maharashtra Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Railways for handing over land for the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) station building in February. “This station will be underground at about 25-metre depth and will be integrated with International Finance service Center (IFSC) building proposed above it. We plan to star work on constructing the Bandra Kurla Complex Terminus (BKC) by the end of this year. Trials of the coaches would begin by 2021 on the route. The train would be run by one driver and we would have conductors to check tickets of passengers. There would be on board signalling system for drivers.”
