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India’s first bullet train, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail route, is well underway, with a quarter of construction completed by January 2023.
The project has faced delays, with a 30% completion gap by the end of January. Despite this setback, construction firms are working closely with the NHSRCL to shorten the project’s schedule and get things back on track.
Project Timeline and Cost
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project has completed 25% of construction as of January 2023. The target is to start trial runs by August 2026 and to be fully operational by 2027.
The project costs Rs 36,722.60 crore, and there is a 4.43% shortfall in the development target.
Despite this, the government and NHSRCL are working to reduce the delay and ensure the project’s success. In FY22-23, the project had expenditures of Rs 11,353.14 crore.
Route and Halt Stations
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail route is not just a means of transportation, but a connection between two bustling financial centres.
This 508.09-kilometer-long train route will stop in eleven cities, offering convenience and accessibility to passengers in Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati. It’s more than just a train, it’s a lifeline for these cities.
Monitoring and Oversight
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project is receiving close attention from both the Indian and Japanese sides involved.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is keeping a close eye on the project’s progress, and a delegation led by the special advisor to the Japanese Prime Minister recently visited the construction sites to assess the work done so far.
The project’s successful completion will strengthen India’s infrastructure and provide a comfortable, fast, and efficient mode of transportation for people traveling between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Current Project Status
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project is facing some delays, with construction progress currently at 25.63% compared to the target of 30.06% by January 2023.
However, the construction firms and NHSRCL are working to accelerate the timeline. The railway minister and Japanese officials are closely monitoring the project’s progress.
The Railways is exploring options to make the Gujarat portion operational by 2027, as the Maharashtra section is behind schedule. Despite these challenges, the project remains a major infrastructure undertaking connecting several important cities.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project will significantly reduce travel time between two major financial hubs and stimulate economic growth in the region.
The project’s success is crucial, and with diligent monitoring and timely problem-solving, it can achieve its goals on schedule.