Exclusive Interview with Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw: Upgrades and Innovations on Ahmedabad-Mumbai Railway Route

In an exclusive interview with Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, significant advancements and innovations on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai railway route were discussed.

Currently, railway tracks between Ahmedabad and Mumbai are being showcased, with special rail cars transporting Rail Minister Vaishnaw himself. The minister is personally inspecting the entire route, focusing particularly on the fencing work. The fencing, designed in a unique manner, ensures safety, especially considering the potential operation of trains at speeds up to 160 km/h. This fencing design prevents cattle from entering the tracks, enhancing safety measures significantly.

Discussing the technical aspects, Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the necessity of various changes to facilitate high-speed travel. These changes include reducing curvature in tracks, increasing sleeper density, and ensuring proper ballast levels in track structures. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of automatic signaling systems and overhead wiring adjustments to accommodate higher current requirements for speeds exceeding 160 km/h.

When questioned about the timeline for achieving a complete 160 km/h readiness on routes like Delhi-Kolkata and Delhi-Mumbai, Minister Vaishnaw acknowledged the complexity of the task due to ongoing train services and the need to minimize disruptions. However, he expressed confidence in meeting the target, aiming for certification by August 15. This certification will enable trains to operate at 160 km/h on these routes, marking a significant milestone in India’s rail infrastructure development.

Minister Vaishnaw concluded by praising the ongoing innovations and efforts, particularly highlighting the effectiveness of the fencing design in enhancing safety measures. He expressed gratitude for the collective endeavor to ensure that the entire Delhi-Mumbai route achieves full fencing completion and meets the target of operating trains at 160 km/h by August 15.