Understanding High-Speed Trains: What It Means When They Exceed 130 km/h

New Delhi: Indian Railways is working on exciting new projects, including trains that could reach speeds of 280 km/h. They’re also developing a bullet train planned to operate between Mumbai and Ahmedabad at speeds up to 320 km/h.

According to official guidelines, trains that go faster than 130 km/h are classified as “High Speed” trains. This classification was clarified in a recent letter from the Railway Board, confirming that only trains exceeding this speed fall into the high-speed category.

Previously, records showed that up until July 3, 1989, any train running at speeds up to 110 km/h was considered high speed. This definition was updated later to include trains over 110 km/h. Long after this update, on November 24, 2020, the Railway Board further refined the rules, stating that trains with a maximum speed of 130 km/h or less should not be classified as high-speed.

The South Central zone of the Indian Railways recently sought clarification on whether previous medical examination rules for loco pilots still applied to these high-speed trains. They were unsure whether to follow the guidelines from 1989 or the modified ones from 1993. The Railway Board responded on February 19, 2025, stating that the earlier 1989 guidelines are now outdated.

The updated policy clearly states that only trains capable of exceeding 130 km/h are designated as high-speed, and it directs the South Central zone to follow the 1993 medical examination standards and adhere to the provisions in the Indian Railway Medical Manual from 2000.

Currently, the highest speed limit for trains in India is 130 km/h. This includes the Vande Bharat trains. Interestingly, in June 2024, the Railway Board lowered the maximum speed for some trains that could run at 160 km/h down to 130 km/h.

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