India’s first semi-high speed freight train likely to chug by year end
India’s first semi-high speed freight train is likely to hit the tracks by December, officials said Friday. Replicating the concept of Vande Bharat trains, the 16-coach ‘Gati NSE -4.68 % Shakti’ train can clock 160 kmph and will be manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
In order to implement the PM Gati Shakti initiative in a focused manner, the Railways has created a separate directorate at the Railway Board with its branches at Khurda, Bilaspur, Delhi and Bengaluru divisions to expedite the ambitious scheme.
“The design work for these trains has already started. We have also given the order for material…By December this year, we will be able to manufacture two of these trains,” ICF General Manager A K Agarwal said, adding that an overall target of 25 such trains has been set.
