NEW DELHI, Oct 29:
Going ahead with the ambitious high speed rail project, railways today announced formation of High Speed Rail Corporation even as Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said care should be exercised in adopting new technology.
The High Speed Rail Corporation (HSRC) is being constituted as a subsidiary of Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd to undertake study and other related work for proposed high speed rail corridors in the country.
“Today we started the process. Later on its terms and condition, appointment of members, other things will be decided,” Kharge said after launching the HSRC at the two-day global conference on high speed rail travel here.
However, striking a cautionary note, Railway Minister said, “One should not buy horses because horse shoes are freely available.”
Hinting at the easy availability of high speed technology and equipment, Kharge said, “We should not get even if it is available free. Some time they sell it to buyers saying it is cheap. We should think whether it suits or not even if it is free or cheap.”
Many advanced countries are in the race to provide technology and expertise to railways in the proposed high speed train project.
The Railway Minister said, “India’s primary focus has been to provide a mass mode of safe, reliable and affordable transport. Being the largest passenger railway in the world, it is a natural aspiration of the people of this country that Indian Railways provide them high speed rail travel.”
“We have to prepare as per our requirement. For high speed trains, whatever is possible on our track in the prevailing condition will be done accordingly.”
Adressing the conference, Chairman, Railway Board Arunendra Kumar said, “We are forming the High Speed Rail Corporation, a subsidiary of RVNL, to take up the necessary steps required in raising the speed of trains.”
Formation of HSRC will be followed by the constitution of the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) soon. Satish Agnihotri, the Chairman and Managing Director of RVNL will also be heading the HSRC.
The corporation will prepare project related studies, preparation of technical standards, providing support to government in finalizing financial and implementation models.
CRB said, “The functions of HSRC and HSRA are different. While the authority will be responsible for policy formulation, the corporation will be the implemeting agency.”
Kumar said at present railways is planning to go for semi-speed in certain routes with existing infrastructure and the aim is to increase the speed of some trains from the range of 130-150 km per hour to 160-200 km per hour on the existing track.
“We have LHB coaches and high horse power locomotives. We have to upgrade the signalling system braking system and also fencing the track at some stretches,” CRB said.
Asked whether the existing fare will be applicable in the semi-high speed train, he said the, “Fare issue will be taken up later.” (PTI)
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