• Source:JND
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Bullet Train Project Update: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said the major section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project (508 km), also known as India's first bullet train project, will be completed by December 2029. Vaishnaw, in a written reply informed the Lok Sabha that the work in the Gujarat portion of the bullet train corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by December 2027, and the entire project from Maharashtra to the Sabarmati section is expected to be over by December 2029.

The Union Minister said the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project (508 km) is under execution with technical and financial assistance from Japan.

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Vaishnav was providing an update on the country's most ambitious project after some members in the Parliament asked questions regarding the status of the government's flagship project.

Bullet Trains To Pass Through These Cities

He further gave details about the route of the train, saying the train will pass through Gujarat, Maharashtra and Dadra & Nagar Haveli with 12 stations planned at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.

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"The Gujarat portion of the corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by December 2027. The entire project (Maharashtra to Sabarmati section) is expected to be completed by December 2029," Vaishnaw said in a written reply.

The Union Minister maintained that as it is a very complex and technology-intensive project, its exact competition timelines can be reasonably ascertained after the completion of all associated works of civil structures, track, electrical, signalling and telecommunication and supply of trainsets.

How Much Indian Government Investing In The Project

The minister said the total estimated cost of the project is approximately Rs. 1,08,000 crore, out of which Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding 81 per cent i.e. Rs. 88,000 crore and the balance 19 per cent i.e. Rs. 20,000 crore will be funded through equity contributions from the Ministry of Railways (50 per cent) and governments of Maharashtra (25 per cent) and Gujarat (25 per cent).

A cumulative financial expenditure of Rs. 78,839 crore has been incurred on the project till June 30, he said.
"The delay in land acquisition in Maharashtra has impacted the project till 2021. However, currently, entire land (1389.5 Ha.) for MAHSR project has been acquired," he added.

The minister stated that the final location survey and geotechnical investigation have been completed and alignment finalized along with obtaining all statutory clearances relating to wildlife, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and forest clearance.
Updating on the ongoing construction work, he said all the civil contracts of the project have been awarded.

"Out of a total 28 tender packages, 24 tender packages have been awarded. Till now, 392 km of pier construction, 329 km of girder casting and 308 km of girder launching have been completed. The work of the under-sea tunnel (21 km approx.) has also started," Vaishnaw said.
(With PTI Inputs)

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