Govt may allow Spanish Talgo to conduct trial for semi-high speed trains Between Delhi-Mumbai

Spanish train-maker Talgo could soon conduct trial runs for its semi-high-speed trains on the Delhi-Mumbai route.

This follows an in-principle approval from the government to showcase Talgo’s specialised lighter and faster trains.

The Madrid-based firm had recently sought the rail ministry’s nod to give free trials. The company had suggested using the legacy network of the Indian Railways to increase connectivity, officials said. If all goes well, Talgo trains from Spain would reduce travel time between Delhi and Mumbai to less than 12 hours from 17 hours now. “Talgo has sought permission to conduct trial runs on the Delhi-Mumbai corridor of high-speed trains,” said a senior rail ministry official.

Talgo Chief Executive Jose Maria Oriol had last year met Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu during a trip to India to promote his products.

BIG DEAL

• The company has suggested using the legacy network of the Indian Railways to increase connectivity
   
• The trial run is expected to be conducted at 160-200 kmph
   
• Apart from being lighter, Talgo trains are known for consuming up to 30 per cent less energy
   
• Currently, the Bhopal Shatabdi is the fastest, touching a maximum speed of 140 kmph on the Delhi-Agra section
   
• Talgo's trains are operational in Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Italy, the US, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

The trial run is expected to be conducted at 160-200 kmph on the stretch. Depending on the results, the ministry might take a call on introducing the trains on a regular basis. Apart from being lighter, Talgo trains are known for consuming up to 30 per cent less energy.

The company had already said it was willing to manufacture and export rakes from India, benefitting the Make In India drive and the recent 100 per cent foreign direct investment policy in the railways.

India has identified nine semi-high-speed corridors where trains can reach between 160 kmph and 200 kmph. Currently, the Bhopal Shatabdi is the fastest train on the Indian Railways network, touching a maximum speed of 140 kmph on the Delhi-Agra section. Talgo's trains are operational in Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Italy, the US, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, according to the company’s website.