Time opportune for introduction of high speed trains: Batra

New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) The Railway Board is strongly in favour of introducing high-speed trains as their benefits as a fast mode of transportaion far outweigh concerns of high cost.

''The concern for affordability of high speed trains in India can be brushed aside by quoting the example of Shinkansen (bullet trains) of Japan,'' Railway Board Chairman J P Batra said today.

Inaugurating a seminar on ''High Speed Corridors on Indian Railways'', Mr Batra said said that despite high initial cost, the daily average transport density of Tokaido Shinkansen is 2,20,000 passengers and it contributes nearly 500 billion yens per year just from the time saved for its passengers.

Another example is the high speed railway in France. The socio-economic profitability, resulting from the money and time saved by the passengers of the South East TGV, is estimated to generate a return of 30 per cent on investments.

The Seminar was jointly organised by the Railways Ministry, the Planning Commission and the Asian Institute of Transport Development. The subjects for the different sessions included Economic Growth&Mobility, Case for High Speed Passenger Services, Project Financing and Technology Platform.

He said the seminar was taking place at a very opportune moment because out of the four broad classes of products -- freight, commuter, inter-city and high speed -- the Railways were doing well in the first three classes but lacked the fourth product.

Pointing out that high speed trains provided passengers an alternative mode for travelling with better punctually, speed, safety and comforts, Mr Batra said several countries, including Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Russia and Sweden, had either joined the bandwagon or were in the process of joining it. In the US too, various high speed corridors are being planned.

In view of a cleaner mode of transport for movement of people from one end to the other, he said it was imperative that high-speed trains fared better over all other modes of transport.

Mr Batra that the idea was to scrutinize the feasibility of high speed corridors in India not only as an environmentally clean and viable alternative to meet the ever- increasing transport demand but also to explore the possibility of high speed trains turning into a vehicle of economic growth.

He appealed to the state governments to partner with the Railways in this new initiative and help boost the economic growth of their cities. He also asked the Industry to come forward with innovative solutions for making these projects a success.

Prime Minister Manmogan Singh is also in favour of the introduction of high-speed trains. Railway Minister Lalu Prasad is not averse to the idea but he has demanded adequate funds from the Centre for its implementation.

UNI