Hyderabad-Vij-Viz trains need to whizz

Published Date: 7/9/2007 - (NIE)
V L Srinivasan
Hyderabad, July 8: In view of the steep rise in the number of passengers between Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, the State Government wants a high speed railway corridor created on this route. At present, the demand on this corridor, which connects several important towns in the coastal districts, is met by a number of train and bus services. The diversion of passenger traffic from the existing main railway is likely to result in increase in the capacity on the main line, which can then be used for freight traffic. The cost of the project is said to be between Rs 1000-1,500 crore. ‘‘The State Government has requested RITES India to identify the consultants to prepare a feasibility report for introduction of a high-speed train between Hyderabad-Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam,’’ official sources told Express. The consultants would need to study the project in two parts. In the first stage, they need to study the existing route between Hyderabad and Vijayawada via Guntur and suggest changes to meet the required standards. In the second stage, between Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, the consultant would examine whether there was a need for a new rail bridge across the Godavari at Rajahmundry or existing bridges could be used so that the trains can run at speeds of 150-200 km per hour on both corridors. ‘‘If the average speed of the train is 175-200 km, it will take about 4 hours to travel from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam and vice-versa,’’ sources said. The consultants are required to assess the current volume of inter-city passengers between Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam by different modes of transport, estimate diversion of passengers to the proposed corridor and forecast volume of passengers likely to use the same. The consultants are required to recommend a suitable concept of a high-speed passenger corridor with reference to similar systems in other countries and prepare technical details for the corridor with reference to technology and operations available in other countries. When contacted, Special Secretary (Transport, Roads & Buildings) K V Brahmananda Reddy said the Government was yet to receive communication from RITES about foreign consultants. ‘‘The project is very much alive,’’ he said.