India's progress in high-speed rail tech: Train derailment averted near Surat; bullet train project advances in Gujarat

An attempted train derailment was thwarted on Saturday after miscreants removed fishplates and keys from a railway track near Kim Railway Station in Surat

An attempted train derailment near Kim railway station in Surat was successfully averted on September 21 after unknown miscreants removed fishplates and keys from the railway track, according to Western Railway’s Vadodara Division, highlighting strides made by the country in high-speed rail technology.

The culprits placed the removed components back on the track, disrupting train movement. Railway officials quickly stopped services, preventing any mishap, and soon restored operations.

Western Railway Vadodara Division said, "Some unknown person opened the fishplate and some keys from the UP line track and put them on the same track near Kim railway station, after which train movement was stopped."

On September 18, at 10:18 pm, the loco pilot of train number 12091, en route from Bilaspur Road to Rudrapur in Uttarakhand, noticed an iron rod obstructing the tracks between km 43/10-11. Acting quickly, the driver applied the emergency brakes, successfully stopping the train and averting a potential accident. After confirming the area was clear, the crew removed the rod and continued the journey without any further issues.

This incident follows recent developments in Gujarat's high-speed rail infrastructure. On September 19, foundation work was completed for eight new stations for the upcoming bullet train service in the state.

Bullet train project director Pramod Sharma emphasized the role of the 'Make in India' initiative in the project's progress, saying, "The bullet train technology has come to India...we are going forward through the 'Make in India' initiative. It is our duty to tell media about what we are doing...we get positivity and support through this."

Additionally, ongoing efforts include the installation of noise barriers along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Corridor. These barriers, measuring two meters in height and one meter in width, are designed to mitigate noise generated by both the train and surrounding structures during operation. National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) confirmed that the noise barriers are an essential feature to reflect and distribute sound, particularly the noise produced by the train's wheels running on tracks.

(With inputs from agencies)