Under the ambitious ‘Mission Raftaar’ initiative, the Indian Railways is set to enhance the power supply on the Virar-Surat section to 2×25,000 volts. This upgrade is pivotal for increasing train speeds to 160 km/h on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Delhi corridor, aiming to reduce travel time and improve overall efficiency.
Enhancing Power Supply for Higher Speeds
Western Railway is doubling power supply to 2×25,000 volts on the Virar-Surat route, enabling semi-high-speed trains to reach 160 km/h.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Safety Measures
In addition to the power supply augmentation, WR is undertaking comprehensive infrastructure upgrades to support higher-speed operations. These include strengthening over 120 bridge approaches, rehabilitating 138 bridges, and straightening 134 curves along the route. To enhance safety and prevent trespassing, authorities have installed safety barriers along 792 kilometers of the track.Western Railway is implementing ‘Kavach’ technology, an advanced train protection system, to enhance operational safety at higher speeds.
Projected Benefits and Future Prospects
Once the upgrades are completed, passengers will experience a significant reduction in travel time. For instance, the journey between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, which currently takes approximately five hours and 25 minutes, will reduce by 45 to 60 minutes. The Delhi-Mumbai route will also see a reduction in travel time by 3.5 hours, making it a fully overnight journey.
Mission Raftaar aims to boost passenger train speeds by 60% and double freight traffic speeds, enhancing efficiency and connectivity nationwide.
Financial Implications and Project Timeline
The estimated cost for the power supply and overhead equipment (OHE) upgrades on the Delhi-Mumbai route is approximately Rs.5,550 crore.
Within WR’s jurisdiction, officials estimate the project will cost around ₹3,959 crore. They have structured the entire project using a new approach that involves route-wise single composite work, single agency execution, and complete funding through Extra Budgetary Resources – Institutional Finance (ERB-IF).
Authorities anticipate completing the upgrades on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Delhi route by March 2024, with trials for running trains at 160 km/h already in progress.
Conclusion
Doubling the power supply on the Virar-Surat route under Mission Raftaar enhances speed, safety, and passenger experience in Indian Railways.
