Japanese experts to train 4000 Indian Railway staff operating on Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor

By RAKESH RANJAN  6 August 2016

With Indian Railways venturing into the age of high-speed rail, the government has tied up with Japan to train the manpower required to drive the new age transport system. 

Japanese experts will train railway personnel for operating the first bullet train in India. 

According to railways, there will be a requirement of nearly 10 thousand skilled personnel to operate the bullet train as well as the other high speed corridors being developed in the country. 

The Indian government is taking up work on five long-distance high-speed corridors and eight other semi high-speed corridors

A senior railway ministry official said a training centre will be set up in India where the best of the Indian Railway staff will be trained to operate and maintain the high speed trains. 

Of these, nearly 4000 staff will be required for the 508 km Mumbai – Ahmedabad bullet train corridor. 

“Indian train drivers will be trained in high-speed train driving simulator to practice how to control trains in extreme weather conditions and at speeds varying from 50 km per hour to 300 km per hour,” a railway ministry official said. 

Apart from the bullet train, the Indian government is taking up work on five long distance high speed corridors and eight other semi-high speed corridors. 

The first semi-high speed Gatimaan Express between Delhi and Agra The game has not been launched in India yet has already started. The train runs at the speed of 160 km per hour. 

A railway board official said that to meet the requirement, a pool of highly trained loco pilots and technicians will be created. 

Unlike the normal express trains, the high speed trains will be driven by two main pilots instead of one assistant pilot. 

“Only the senior-most loco pilots, with over 20 years of experience, will be trained initially. Mental ability, quick decision-making and medical-fitness are critical for drivers on high speed trains. Once they qualify the physical test, they will be put to training on simulators,” officials said adding the place where the training centre will be set up is yet to be decided. 

Similarly, the engineers and technicians of Indian Railways, will also be trained to repair and maintain these trains as the high speed technology is entirely new to the country.