Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has submitted its final feasibility report on Mumbai-Ahmadabad bullet train corridor. The report estimates the value of the 505 km long high speed railway project to be INR 98,805 crore. With the bullet train capable of speeds of over 300 kmph, the train journey time between the two western cities of India will be cut short from over 7 hours to about 2 hours. It’s also reported that the suggested train fair is higher than the first class AC ticket on Rajdhani express. Rough estimate puts its price at around INR 2,800.
The JICA delegation, led by Japanese Ambassador to India Takeshi Yagi, submitted the report to Indian Railway minister Suresh Babu. The railway ministry will examine the report and decide the future course of action. The report also says that if construction work commences in 2017, India’s first ever bullet train will be ready to ply in 2023-24. The ministry is expected to prepare a Cabinet Note outlining project feasibility and timelines to seek approval.
With a large scale adoption across the country, bullet trains will offer cheaper alternative to domestic air travel.It is estimated that by 2023, around 40,000 passengers will be ready to adopt bullet train journey and hence its a financially viable project. It’s to be noted that apart from JICA, SNFC of France has also submitted its feasibility study and business model to the Indian government.
Recently, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has finally consented to allocating land at the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) for the first terminus of the new Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train that is set to go into operation from 2023. This is a dream project of the PM Narendra Modi which will cover the 508 km distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in a matter of 2 hours. The Bullet Train is expected to travel at operating speed of 320 kmph and at a peak speed of 350 kmph.
For the first time, passengers aboard the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train will travel under the sea with a 21 km tunnel between Thane and Virar being planned while the project is set to be completed by 2023. The total cost of the Bullet Train is estimated at INR 99,000 crores with Maharashtra and Gujarat governments contributing 25% each while the Central Government will put in the remaining 50%. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train will stop at 12 stations across the route, of which 4 stations are in Maharashtra while 8 are in Gujarat.
Japanese International Corporation Agency has prepared a detailed project report for the Bullet Train. Rolling stock and all necessary equipment required for the construction besides signaling equipment and power system will be imported into the country from Japan. A training center is also to be set up at Gandhinagar to offer training facilities to engineers and employees who will be involved in the construction of the Bullet Train.
