Mysuru: A 17-member team from China inspected the railway line between Bengaluru and Mysuru on Thursday as part of its preparation for a feasibility study for running high speed trains between Chennai and Mysuru announced in the last railway budget.
The team comprising engineers in geology, bridge, alignment, signal, machinery and traffic operations, led by China Railway Engineering Group Company Limited (CREEC) Deputy Chief Engineer Wang Yingliang carried out the inspection by travelling in the Tipu Express from Bengaluru to Mysuru.
They were accompanied by Railway Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) chief project manager Alok Tiwari, High Speed Train Executive Director T K Jain, SWR’s Bengaluru DRM A K Agarwal and others. On Wednesday, the Chinese team had conducted a similar exercise between Chennai and Bengaluru.
Agarwal told reporters that the expert team will submit a feasibility report in three months to the Indian Railways. It will study how to improve the existing tracks so that the speed can be increased from the present 130 kmph to 200 kmph.
To achieve this, there is a need for complete overhauling of the track like significantly decreasing the number of curves, improving the track structures, bridges and remodeling of signaling system. There are 500 curves that are sharper than one degree between Mysuru and Chennai (200 of them between Mysuru and Bengaluru), besides 200 small and big bridges which are quiet old. The exercise also warrants land acquisition.
He said at present, the track between Chennai and Bengaluru is designed for a maximum speed of 130 kmph while it is 110 kmph between Bengaluru and Mysuru, though the actual speed is much less.
If the tracks are improved for a speed of 200 kmph, only then the trains can run up to a speed of 130-160 kmph.
Agarwal said the Chinese team has successfully carried out several such projects in China.