<p>Technical glitches may have derailed the plan for the semi high-speed train on the Bangalore-Mysore-Chennai route that was announced in the Railway Budget, 2014.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A study conducted by the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) for the Bangalore-Mysore-Chennai line, along with other lines, suggests that achieving a speed of 160 kmph is not possible due to curve restriction and gauge conversion. The entire Bangalore-Mysore track has been converted from meter gauge to broad gauge and has too many curve restrictions.<br /><br />The Delhi-Agra semi high-speed train recently saw a successful run, raising hopes for such a facility on the Bangalore-Mysore-Chennai line. However, the report underlines that the maximum speed that can be achieved on this line is 120-130 kmph. Currently, the speed of the train between Bangalore and Mysore is 100 kmph.<br /><br />Moreover, the technical study conducted by the Bangalore Division of the South Western Railways (SWR) points out that drastic technical changes are required to run a train at a speed of 160 kmph.<br /><br />They include replacement of tracks, double distant signalling and new point machines. Even after these changes, estimated to cost a whopping Rs 1,500 crore, the desired speed of 160 kmph can be achieved only for 20 per cent of the total distance. For instance, between Bangalore and Mysore, only an 8-km stretch can be covered at that speed.<br /><br />As if these roadblocks were not enough, the Railway Board has conveyed to the SWR that there is a paucity of funds. A senior SWR official, on condition of anonymity, said that the board expressed its inability to spare Rs 1,000 crore for the project.<br /><br />It has now asked the SWR to prepare a feasibility report in two weeks on what best can be done with minimum funds.<br /><br />Another hurdle is converting 36 manned interlocked level crossings into non-interlocked ones, besides fencing along the entire track as a safety measure. This is bound to cost approximately Rs 250 crore.</p>
<p>Technical glitches may have derailed the plan for the semi high-speed train on the Bangalore-Mysore-Chennai route that was announced in the Railway Budget, 2014.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A study conducted by the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) for the Bangalore-Mysore-Chennai line, along with other lines, suggests that achieving a speed of 160 kmph is not possible due to curve restriction and gauge conversion. The entire Bangalore-Mysore track has been converted from meter gauge to broad gauge and has too many curve restrictions.<br /><br />The Delhi-Agra semi high-speed train recently saw a successful run, raising hopes for such a facility on the Bangalore-Mysore-Chennai line. However, the report underlines that the maximum speed that can be achieved on this line is 120-130 kmph. Currently, the speed of the train between Bangalore and Mysore is 100 kmph.<br /><br />Moreover, the technical study conducted by the Bangalore Division of the South Western Railways (SWR) points out that drastic technical changes are required to run a train at a speed of 160 kmph.<br /><br />They include replacement of tracks, double distant signalling and new point machines. Even after these changes, estimated to cost a whopping Rs 1,500 crore, the desired speed of 160 kmph can be achieved only for 20 per cent of the total distance. For instance, between Bangalore and Mysore, only an 8-km stretch can be covered at that speed.<br /><br />As if these roadblocks were not enough, the Railway Board has conveyed to the SWR that there is a paucity of funds. A senior SWR official, on condition of anonymity, said that the board expressed its inability to spare Rs 1,000 crore for the project.<br /><br />It has now asked the SWR to prepare a feasibility report in two weeks on what best can be done with minimum funds.<br /><br />Another hurdle is converting 36 manned interlocked level crossings into non-interlocked ones, besides fencing along the entire track as a safety measure. This is bound to cost approximately Rs 250 crore.</p>
