Dainik Nation News Portal
The Bharatiya Janata Party has reiterated its commitment to expanding India’s high-speed rail network, promises to extend the success of the country’s first Bullet Train corridor to other regions. BJP manifesto announced on Sunday, the party highlighted their achievements in initiating the first Bullet Train project during their previous terms.
“We are constructing the first Bullet Train corridor in the country. Using the experience gained so far, we will initiate feasibility studies for Bullet Train Corridors in North, South, and East India,” the party stated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the announcement, mentioned the ongoing progress of the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train project and its nearing completion. He outlined the BJP’s vision for the future, with plans for Bullet Trains in different parts of the country.
“BJP will also expand Vande Bharat trains to every corner of the country. 3 models of Vande Bharat will run in the country – Vande Bharat Sleeper, Vande Bharat Chaircar and Vande Bharat Metro. Today the work of the Ahmedabad Mumbai Bullet Train is going on in full swing and is almost reaching completion. In the same way, one Bullet Train will run in North India, one Bullet Train in South India and one Bullet Train in Eastern India. Survey work for this will also be started soon,” PM Modi announced.
Initially announced by the Modi government in 2017, the high-speed train project, utilizing Japan’s Shinkansen technology, is expected to be operational by 2026. It will connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad, reducing travel time significantly. Originally scheduled for completion by 2022, the project faced delays primarily due to land acquisition challenges.
The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) confirmed in October 2023 that it had achieved 100% land acquisition in Gujarat for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. Across Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, 99.95% of the required land has been acquired for the project.
Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with a soft loan of Rs 88,000 crore, the overall cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 1.10 lakh crore.
Once operational, the Bullet Train corridor will allow passengers to cover the 508-kilometre distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in around 3.5 hours, significantly reducing the travel time from the current approximately five hours.
“A commuter using this bullet train can finish the 508-km journey in two hours and seven minutes. At present, the train journey takes about five hours,” a spokesperson of the NHSRCL had previously stated.
