Font size:
Print
World’s First High-Speed Carbon Fibre Train
Context:
China has unveiled Carbon Star Rapid Transit (Cetrovo 1.0), the world’s first high-speed passenger train constructed entirely from carbon fibre, making it significantly lighter than conventional trains, which is expected to reduce pollution.
|
Carbon Fibre: It consists of thin, strong crystalline filaments of carbon, with carbon atoms bonded in long chains.
|
High-Speed Carbon Fiber Train
- Performance Goals: Aims to transport with less weight and energy while maintaining high performance.
- Speed and Energy Efficiency: Capable of reaching speeds up to 87 mph (140 km/h) and consuming 7% less energy compared to steel trains.
-
- It can reduce annual CO2 emissions by 130 tons.
-
- Eco-Friendly Benefits
-
-
- Environmental Impact: This train represents a significant advancement in sustainable transportation, aligning with broader environmental goals.
- Advantages of High-Speed Rail: High-speed rail is already noted for lower noise pollution, reduced land use, and less air pollution per passenger compared to cars and planes.
-
- China’s High-Speed Rail Network: China boasts the largest high-speed rail network in the world, covering around 28,000 miles (approx. 45,000 kilometres).
- These trains can travel at speeds up to 125 mph (200 km/h), providing efficient and affordable travel options across the country.
- Recently, artificial intelligence has been integrated into the network’s maintenance and operations, enhancing reliability and efficiency.
India Touching Bullet Speeds:
- India has the second largest railway network in Asia, and the 4th largest railway system in the world, behind only the US, Russia and China.
- India aims to become the largest green rail network in the world.
- Indian railways is the single largest employer in India and 8th largest in the world.
- National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) incorporated in 2016 with the objective to finance, construct, maintain and manage the High Speed Rail Corridor in India.
- It is implementing India’s First Bullet Train Project i.e. Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor (MAHSR) with Japanese assistance through its Shinkansen (bullet train) technology.
- It spans 508 kilometres, connecting Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Government Initiatives to Boost Railways in India:
- 100% FDI allowed in railway infrastructure under the automatic route.
- Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) are established to enhance the proportion of freight traffic.
- PM Gati Shakti aims to develop world-class infrastructure and logistics, providing integrated, seamless multi-modal connectivity.
- Station Infrastructure Redevelopment Programme to redevelop 400 railway stations for INR 1,000 billion under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
