The Railway Ministry has asked drivers to hit the top permissible speed only if trains are running late to make up for lost time, instead of trying to speed throughout the journey, a top source in the ministry said.  The new directive replaces an order issued in 2000 in which the ministry had said that trains are supposed to run at maximum permissible speed (MPS) even when they are on time, subject to speed restrictions, but they rarely do so.

The decision was taken after it was found that punctuality of trains suffered because loco drivers were wary of driving at MPS due to the fear of being caught overspeeding, which is punishable, the source said. In the new timetable to be released on August 15, trains having an MPS of 110 kmph will be shown having a normal prescribed speed (booked speed) of105 kmph and those with 120 kmph MPS will have115 kmph.