CR may up speed to cut travel time to Goa

The train speed will be at par with the Rajdhani Express that runs on the Konkan route. CENTRAL RAILWAY OFFICIAL

MUMBAI: Central Railways (CR) will conduct speed trials of the Tejas Express, one of the fastest trains on the Mumbai-goa route. Based on the trial, railway authorities are expected to increase the speed of the train, cutting short travel time between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Karmali.

According to railway officers, the speed trial will be conducted from CSTM to Roha and Roha to Madgaon on the route for the top speed of 110kmph and 120kmph, respectively. Currently, the speed of the Tejas Express in these sections is 90kmph and 110kmph. The train is capable of running at a top speed of 200kmph.

“Tejas Express will undergo speed trials,” confirmed Sunil Udasi, chief spokesperson, CR. The train will be fitted with a total 15 coaches including power cars, during the trials and will be hauled with a diesel engine. There will be no passengers in the train at the time of the speed trial.

Launched at the hands of former railway minister Suresh Prabhu on May 22, 2017, Tejas Express is the fastest train on this route. It covers the distance between CSMT and Karmali in 10.30 hours, where as other faster trains take at least 11-12 hours.

“The train speed will be at par with the Rajdhani Express that runs on the Konkan route,” said a senior CR official.

Other officials, however, were unable to say how much time the train could save if the trials prove successful.