India's fastest train -- the New Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi Express --was flagged off on Wednesday from the New Delhi railway station by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav (far left), and Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal (at the microphone).

Graphic: New Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi Express

This new superfast train, which departs from New Delhi at 0600 hours, daily except Friday, will travel at a top speed of 150 kilometres per hour. The Delhi-Agra [Images] 198-km journey that usually takes 2.5 hours, will now be accomplished in less than two hours. But from Agra onwards, all the way to Bhopal, the train will continue at its usual top speed of 120 kilometres per hour.

To accommodate this high speed on India's tracks the railway ministry has taken a few precautions. Tracks that could, till now, handle a speed of maximum 120 kilometres per hour, have been fortified to handle the Shatabdi's new momentum. Tall barriers will seal off the tracks to jaywalkers, stray dogs and livestock.

Brand new coaches for the train have been repeatedly tested and then brought in from Kapurthala, Punjab, to give passengers a smooth ride. The train will be pulled by a extrafast WAP-5 engine, which are high speed electric locomotives.

PTI

The last train ride

Photographs: Getty Images