India has established a new body to lead the development of high-speed rail across the country.
The High Speed Rail Corporation (HSRC), which was launched today at a railways event in New Delhi, will oversee the delivery of planned high-speed railway corridors in India, supporting the government and Ministry of Railways in drawing up the technical and financial details of the planned network.
According to an announcement by India’s Press Information Bureau, Shri Arunendra Kumar, chairman of Indian Railways’ Railway Board, told delegates that pre-feasibility studies had already looked into seven possible high-speed routes and a preliminary study has estimated that the cost of a corridor between Mumbai-Ahemdabad could run as high as 650 billion rupees (€7.7 billion).
Although HSRC will look at the possibility of operating 350 km/h passenger services, the main thrust of India’s high-speed rail plans is around procuring modern rolling stock capable of speeds of between 160 and 200 km/h that can run on the existing network.
A two-day technical rail conference, ‘High Speed Rail Travel: Low Cost Solution’, was opened by Railways Minister Shri Mallikarjun today (October 29) in New Delhi.
Representatives from 11 countries around the world are present, including experts from major rolling stock manufacturers Bombardier, Talgo, CAF, Alstom and Siemens.
