Patna: The speed of major trains departing from Patna Junction is set to increase. Soon, trains covering long distances from Patna will run at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour, in accordance with the standards of Vande Bharat coaches. These coaches are designed to run at a maximum speed of 160 to 200 kilometers per hour.
The acceleration in speed will affect several crucial train routes originating from Patna Junction, including Sampurna Kranti, Rajendra Nagar-LTT, Danapur-Pune, Patliputra-LTT, Vikramshila, Magadh, Islampur-Hatia, Danapur Jan Sadharan, Shramjeevi, Patna-Kota, Punjab Mail, Archana, Haridwar Howrah-Kumbh, Rajendra Nagar-Durga, Vibhuti Express, and many more.
Currently, coaches with a design dating back decades, made of iron, run at a speed of 110 kilometers per hour. However, in light of modern technology advancements, the Indian Railways has decided to replace these coaches with Vande Bharat-style coaches, aiming to enhance the speed of approximately 2200 mail-express trains nationwide. This initiative includes over 250 trains from the East Central Railway zone, encompassing Danapur Mandal.
These Integral Coach Factory (ICF) coaches, initially designed to run at 110 kilometers per hour, were made of iron and equipped with air brakes. Due to their weight and limited seating capacity (72 in sleeper and 62 in AC-3 tier), they incurred higher maintenance costs. In the case of accidents where air-brakes are not applied, these coaches tend to pile up, causing significant damage.
Vande Bharat coaches, made of stainless steel, are lighter and more robust. They have a design capable of achieving speeds between 160 to 200 kilometers per hour. These coaches feature automatic doors, similar to metro systems, ensuring passenger safety by opening only when the train comes to a halt.
According to Senior Railway Officials, the Railways is actively working on various initiatives to increase train speed, including the implementation of automatic signal systems and modernization of tracks. As a result, both infrastructure and coaches are undergoing changes to support the upcoming acceleration in train speeds.
