In six months from August 1997, the Shatabdi Express, two other passenger trains and 12 coaches of a goods train jumped the rails.

The four-member committee's report stressed that a third track between Surat and Ahmedabad would reduce the load factor on the existing two tracks between Surat and Vadodara. The existing tracks, the report said, had been overused and their capacity to accommodate the rush of trains diminished.

Senior railway officers in the division said such a proposal was pending with the WR headquarters; this report, which has gone to the ministry and met with the approval of railway minister Nitish Kumar, necessitated a follow-up.

The sticking point, however, seems to be the funds. Railway officials said the minister had not mentioned anything relating to funds. The project, they said, would cost about Rs 600 crores; the amount would cover purchase of the land and track construction. ``A survey has been carried out, which shows much land has to be purchased,'' an official said.

At present there are 66 mail and express trains and 12 goods trains running on these two tracks. The third track, officials say, could also be useful for MEMUs. ``Since this was one of the most profit-earning divisions of the railways, the third track could also take care of transportation of freight,'' said a senior western railway official.