Final touches are being given to the commencement of the new high speed Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi express due to start between Delhi and Agra at a speed of 150 km per hour from February 15.
"Arrangements have been made to ensure safety and security from different angle," divisional railway manager of Agra M Suresh said on Monday, adding that since the train will be inaugurated at Delhi, the arrangements are being made there itself.
However residents of Mathura believe that adequate safety measures has not been taken to start the service of the high speed train.
"Neither the upgradation of track has been ensured nor proper fencing including construction of boundary wall on entire route has been done," general secretary of Bar Association Alok Singh said
According to him the absence of fencing "is a serious threat to human life" as the rail track near Bhuteshwar is used as a thoroughfare by locals.
"It has been decided to run the train without even ensuring the strength of the track as cement sleepers dropped at the outskirts of Bhuteshwar station are yet to be used," Nagar Sudhar Samiti president P L Saudagar said.
A railway official, on condition of anonymity said even the Commissioner of Railway Safety had not given his approval for the high speed train.
