VIEWPOINT

It is no exaggeration to say the launch of the world’s fastest train service in China ‘signals the future.’ Its significance lies not merely in the impressive fact that it touched a record speed of 350 km an hour and shrunk distances but in its spot lighting how such trains can become a serious alternative to short-hour flights and long distance road travel. This assumes further importance in the light of the imperative need to cut carbon emission urgently. For many years, infrastructure and capacity improvement projects were limited to building more domestic airports and roads. High-speed trains tend to emit only one-fourth and one-third of carbon dioxide per 100-passenger-km that aircraft and private cars do respectively. For the relevant distances, they also offer faster door-to-door connectivity than flights. Places as far as 800 km can be reached within an affordable time of less than three hours and this is a compelling reason to promote this energy-efficient mode of travel. As more and more passengers shift to such trains, congestion at airports and roads can be reduced and the spaces released can be efficiently used.