Why Not the Indian Government Introduce the Train-18 First in South India?

The Indian government's plan to roll out the Train-18 in South India has faced some challenges due to infrastructure limitations. Despite the interest in modernizing railway systems, several factors, including infrastructure constraints and political considerations, have hindered the initial deployment of this high-speed train in the southern regions.

Infrastructure Constraints in Southern Railways

The three zones of the Southern Railway (covering Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka) currently lack the infrastructure to operate a high-speed Train-18. These zones are equipped to only run trains at a peak speed of 110 km/h, which is significantly lower than the peak speed of Train-18.

As stated by a senior official with the Southern Railway requesting anonymity, "Coach/rake is just one of the requirements. Apart from tracks, we also need adequate overhead traction (OHT) and signalling infrastructure to operate Train-18 here. The existing infrastructure can only hold up to 110 kmph." Even Shatabadi and Rajdhani trains operate at 110 kmph in these regions, making it clear that the existing rail infrastructure is not sufficient for a high-speed train.

Prioritizing the North for Train-18 Deployment

The decision to deploy the Train-18 first in northern railway zones has been influenced by several factors, including political considerations. For instance, the first Train-18 will be operated between Modi's constituency, Varanasi, and Delhi, which serves as a strategic move during the election year. The senior SR officer admitted, "The Delhi-Bhopal section in northern railway is the only place the train could be operated at 160 kmph," emphasizing the limited infrastructure in the south.

Furthermore, there are no active proposals to upgrade the track infrastructure in the south to run high-speed trains. This decision can be seen as a form of votebank politics, where political considerations overshadow technical and infrastructural needs.

Politics and National Development

The introduction of any new technology often reflects broader political considerations. When TR Balu was the transport minister, roadways in Tamil Nadu saw improvement. Similarly, Lalu Prasad Yadav, as the railway minister, launched several routes in his home state, showcasing a regional focus in national projects. These examples highlight how political influences can shape infrastructure development.

While some may argue that launching new technologies in less privileged regions like East India would be more equitable, the reality is that public projects tend to benefit politically strategic areas. The decision to launch the Train-18 in the northern states, where there is higher visibility and political impact, is not unique to India but a common phenomenon in many countries.

Benjamin Balasram, a contributor and former UN agency worker, states, "When TR Balu was the transport minister, roadways in Tamil Nadu got a boost. When Lalu was the railway minister, he launched routes in his home state. When Thayanithi Maran was the telecom minister, Nokia set up operations in Chennai. This is a flawed but often seen practice. In a country like India, where voting patterns are influenced by caste and money, political decisions often take precedence over national development."

Conclusion

The decision to roll out the Train-18 in South India has been marred by infrastructure limitations and political considerations. While the lack of adequate infrastructure is a practical challenge, the political landscape is clearly an influential factor. For true national development, there needs to be a more balanced approach that prioritizes infrastructure upgrades in all regions.

Despite these challenges, the launch of Train-18 marks an important step forward for Indian railway modernization, and its eventual deployment in the southern regions is anticipated as more infrastructural upgrades are made.