JOIN USHigh-speed train: Chinese engg experts arrive in Mysuru
If the high speed train between Mysuru and Chennai via Bengaluru has to become a reality, the Railways has a tough task ahead, with the Chinese delegation making serious observations about the curves, signals and the capacity of track and bridges between Bengaluru and Mysuru junctions of South Western Railways (SWR).
A 16-member expert team from China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Co Ltd, (CREEC), jointly led by their Deputy Chief Engineer Wang Yingliang and Deputy Director of Overseas Management department Xu Zengxin arrived in Tipu Express from Bengaluru, at the railway station here on Thursday evening.
The delegation also comprising engineers of various allied wings, were brought on a feasibility study tour in an inspection car attached to Tipu Express .
Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), SWR, Bengaluru division, A K Agarwal who accompanied the team to Mysuru told media persons: “According to the visiting experts, around 150 to 160 curves are more than one degree steeper, calling for addressing the same with realignment of the track with the acquisition of additional lands. Only 12 curves are up to one degree on this route, unlike in China where most of the curves are less than one degree, which is considered conducive to operate such trains.
“Similarly, bridges have to be strengthened, with 250 bridges located between Mysuru and Bengaluru alone that date back to many years. Equal number of bridges are between Chennai and Bengaluru junctions,” he said.
The delegation also enquired about the signal system, points and crossing, and the capacity of the track, key factors for operating a high-speed train. The existing tracks have the capacity to run trains at the speed of 100 kmph to 130 kmph between Mysuru and Bengaluru, which have to be augmented further to 200 kmph speed to facilitate the high-speed train. It was the same team in China that was involved in increasing the speed of the train in that country.
Chief Project Manager, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), Bengaluru, Alok Tiwari said the team had three months’ time to submit the report to the Central government.
RVNL is the nodal agency for the project, with its Executive Director (High Speed), Delhi, P K Jain accompanying the visiting engineers from the national capital, for the preliminary study of the project.
Meeting today
The team is expected to hold a meeting with Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), SWR, Mysuru, Rajkumar Lal at the latter’s office on Friday. They are scheduled to return to Bengaluru by Basava Express same day.