Fastest train T-18 to finally run between Delhi and Varanasi

LUCKNOW: With a few months to go for Lok Sabha elections, the ministry of railways has decided to operate the muchhyped country’s fastest train, T-18, between Delhi and Varanasi.

The train has reached Delhi for its final trial run to be conducted on the section where it will be commercially introduced.



The ministry’s letter (TOI has a copy of it), dated December 11, has also asked the three zonal railways which have their track portions on the route toensure preparednessfor “introduction of service at short notice.” While the trial is scheduled for December 21-22, the letter to Northern, North Central and North Eastern Railway says it can be advanced. The train, said sources, might begin operations by end of December.

T-18 is an engine-less, selfpropelled ‘Made in India’ train that has crossed the 180 kmphmark during a trial run on the Kota-Sawai Madhopur section. Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO), which has conducted the earlier trials and submitted its final report to operate the train at ‘recommended’ 160kmph has said that T-18 can hit180kmph.

The final speed of the train, however, will depend on the sectional speed of the stretch where it will be operated. The Delhi-Varanasi route does not permit 160kmph all along. More than 700km long, the route has varying speed limits. Besides, the train would attain the high speed of 160kmph and 180kmph only when both track and signalling are modern and advanced. This is the second high-profile, made-in-India, super-fast train after Mahamana Express, which was flagged off in January 2016 between Delhi and Varanasi.
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