Talgo tilting train to reduce commuting time between Bengaluru, Mysuru

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Travel time between Bengaluru and Mysuru could be reduced to 90 minutes in the near future if trials with a high speed, tilting train manufactured by Spanish manufacturer Talgo conducted between Delhi and Mumbai in the next few days are successful.

Union Minister Suresh Prabhu on Saturday said that larger orders for the trains will be placed based upon the success of the trial run, which will likely begin from August 1. The train recently clocked 180 kmph this week between Mathura and Palwal during a trial run. “This technology will be cheaper as it can run on existing tracks. Since there are a lot of curves on the Bengaluru-Mysuru line, it will be better. We will start in a short time,” Mr. Prabhu said.

The state government had proposed the use of these trains on the route to reduce the travel time without having to create new infrastructure. Track doubling and electrification work on the line is almost completed. A major hurdle of shifting Tipu Sultan’s armoury taken up by US based company Wolfe Private Limited will also be completed soon. “In all probability, the project will be completed by year-end and tilting train coaches will be an added attraction on the track,” said R.V. Deshpande, Major Industries Minister, who also has the infrastructure portfolio.

Tilting train coaches are product of Talgo-the Spanish manufacturer of intercity, standard, and high speed trains. These coaches are light in weight and designed in a way that it can run on curves without decelerating. The Indian Railway recently conducted the first trial run in the stretch between Bareilly and Moradabad, as part of strategy to increase the speed of the trains, the minister explained.

Hurdles cleared for Hubballi-Ankola line

The disposing of cases related to the much delayed Hubbali-Ankola line by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has come as a relief to the proponents of the line. The NGT asked the project proponents (Railways) to send a proposal to the State Government for further examination. Mr. Deshpande said that the State Government had requested the South-Western Railway to re-examine the extent of forest land required and to reduce it further in light of technological advancements.

As a result, Railways reduced the requirement of forest area from 667 hectares to 602 hectares. Further, the length of the tunnels and viaducts has been increased to protect the forest and wildlife. “Government will be submitting a fresh proposal to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,” Mr. Deshpande said.