Gatimaan Express and Vande Bharat trains, currently operating at 130 kmph, are likely to regain their original maximum speed of 160 kmph on Agra-Delhi section
Agra: Semi-high-speed trains Gatimaan Express and Vande Bharat, currently running at 130 kmph, are likely to run at their original operating speed of 160 kmph between Agra and Delhi as work on installing Kavach Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system is complete and safety trials are on, said Agra Division DRM Gagan Goyal on Tuesday. Speaking to TOI, Goyal said, “Trains are currently running at a maximum speed of 130 kmph. As far as the question of increasing the speed of trains to 160 kmph between Agra and Delhi, the process is to first conduct the trials and then make any decisions. As RDSO trials give us a green light, we will work to increase the speed of these trains back to 160 kmph between Delhi-Agra section,” said Goyal. Train numbers 12049, 12050, 12001, 12002, 20171, 20172, 22469 and 22470 are currently operating at 130 kmph—lower than their maximum permissible speed of 160 kmph on the section, according to an RTI reply by Indian Railways to TOI. 2021/Sig/Kavach/Vande Bharat dated June 24, 2024, these services were restricted to 130 kmph until the ATP system became operational. The letter specifically cited train pairs 20171/20172 (Hazrat Nizamuddin–Rani Kamalapati Vande Bharat Express), 22470/22469 (Hazrat Nizamuddin–Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express), and 12049/12050 (New Delhi–Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi Gatimaan Express). Gatimaan Express, India’s first semi-high-speed train, was launched in April 2016 to connect Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin station with Agra Cantt in 100 minutes at 160 kmph and now operates up to Jhansi. The two Vande Bharat services also previously ran at 160 kmph between Delhi and Agra, while the New Delhi–Rani Kamalapati Shatabdi Express (12002/12001) ran at 150 kmph. Kavach is an indigenously developed ATP system certified to Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4).
Kavach ATP system has been installed on the track for enhanced safety. “Trials are underway after Kavach installation by Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO). As per Railway Board letter no. The technology requires RFID tags placed along tracks and station areas, stationary control units at stations, and dedicated towers and antennas along the corridor to ensure high-speed operation.
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