* It is learnt that the MUM-AHM Shinkanshen track shall be 1435mm Standard guage(SG) and not in 1676mm Broad guage adopted for rest of IR network.
* The Broad guage was not advised by Japan on the grounds that world over, (most of) the HSTs operate at Standard guage. This decision suits Japan/ European countries and not India.
* Most of the developed countries owning HSTs have predominantly SG conventional rail network, and hence they adopted SG for HSTs also, so that there is inter operability, i.e. HSTs can also use the...
more... rly stations, railway tracks of hige conventional Rail network.
* Although BG may initially cost a little bit more, but advantages of better stability, higher speed potential and higher carrying capacity shall provide compensation.
* Same gauge ensure that HSTs can operate on contiguous conventional (SHS) tracks, thereby drastically increasing the geographic as well as demographic reach of HSTs. A large region and population can enjoy/ take advantages of HSTs.
* Mum-Ahm shall be isolated rail network and traffic and revenue potential shall be severely limited due to SG.
* After spending huge amount in gauge conversion projects under ambitious UNIGUAGE POLICY, IR should not have committed the mistake of going for standard gauge.
* Going for SG is a short term benefit option, when a IR is going to upgrade many of its existing sections for SHS 160-200kmph, the need for operating 300-320 kmph HST at 160-200 kmph on upgraded BG tracks shall arise in a big way, and SG of HST shall play spoil sport. Conventional MG track could be converted to BG, but conversion of SG HST to BG in future shall be practically impossible due to very high costs & complications.