Railways to host meet on high-speed trains in Delhi

In a bid to explore various options to enhance the speed of trains, the railways would be hosting an international conference in the national capital. The ministry of railways is looking at various technology available across the world, including the Maglev which can clock the speed of 500 kmph. The conference is part of the Mission 350 plus stated by the Railways minister Suresh Prabhu to explore the possibility of running trains in excess of 350 kmph in the country.

“Railway minister Suresh Prabhu has envisioned Mission 350 Plus in which the Railways should enter the futuristic field of ultra-high speed rail network,” said Mr Hemant Kumar, Railway Board member (Rolling Stock). He added that the railways is working towards building an Indian technology which is economical and on par with the best.

Mr Kumar also informed that the railways has floated an expression of interest (EoI) tender for developing, constructing and running ultra-high speed railway system in India on PPP basis. The EoI is closing on September 6. The railways has so far received four global players who have shown interest in the project, sources said.

The railways is expecting that the EoI will give a full view of emerging technologies available in the world. The railways is hopeful that it would be able to move forward on Mission 350 Plus.

The one-day international conference will be held on September 2 which will see participation of a number of large companies involved in running high speed trains.