News and Upgrades to the Indian Railways

At present, there are no high-speed rails or bullet trains in operation on Indian Railways. However, there are current plans and developments that could lead to the introduction of high speed rails, which are categorized as trains capable of 200 kilometers per hour, and bullet trains, which are capable of speeds between 250 and 300 kilometers per hour.

High speed rails

Indian Railways, under the Duronto brand name, is planning to improve existing railways to support speeds of 200 to 250 kilometers per hour between 2010 and 2019. Using the trans-European high-speed rail network as a model, current plans to increase the functionality of India's existing railways meets all the definitions of the European model. Other planned changes include dedicating certain railways to passenger trains exclusively and building additional railways exclusively for freight trains in order to prevent bottlenecking. Also, current plans call for the upgrade of locomotives with fire-retardant materials, stainless steel frames and electro-pneumatic brake systems in order to ensure safe traveling at 200 to 250 kilometers per hour.

Bullet trains

There is currently a bill in Indian parliament that would create a nine-member commission to oversee India's first six bullet trains. The current plan intends to use the bullet trains on a regional level to connect centers of tourism, commerce and pilgrimage. In March 2011, a feasibility study by a British firm was commissioned by the Indian government with a timetable to give its report in seven months.

With high-speed railways and bullet trains increasing in popularity throughout the world, Indian Railways is making plans to join the world in its enthusiasm for high-speed rails and bullet trains.