'Land acquisition in Gujarat for bullet train project almost complete'

The project entails a 508.17 km rail line between Gujarat and Maharashtra via Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Of this, a 348.04 km line runs in Gujarat, a 155.76 km stretch in Maharashtra and 4.3 km in Dadra and Nagar Haveli

New Delhi:As a silver lining into the several much-awaited projects of the Indian Railways that have been put on the back burner due to land acquisition issues, the Railways on Thursday announced it has expedited the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. The project entails a 508.17 km rail line between Gujarat and Maharashtra via Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Of this, a 348.04 km line runs in Gujarat and according to the Railway Board chief, contracts have already been awarded for a prominent part of this stretch.

Suneet Sharma, CEO and Chairman of Railway Board, said 95 per cent of land in Gujarat required for the project has already been acquired. "We have awarded contracts for the civil engineering works on the 327 km (of the 348.04 km) stretch and work has commenced," he told the media. However, he said, the board is yet to acquire land in Maharashtra. "We are in talks with the Maharashtra government. As soon as we get complete the land acquisition process, we will commence work there."

The 508.17 km rail corridor project also comprises a 155.76 km stretch in Maharashtra and 4.3 km in Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The estimated cost of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is Rs 1,10,000 crore. The project will also see the construction of stations, viaducts, river and road crossings.

"The project envisages an under-sea tunnel between Thane and Bandra. We are in touch with the Maharashtra government for that as well. We will start working on that project as soon as we acquire the land," Sharma said.

Recently, the newly appointed Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw had reviewed the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project that has faced several delays due to the slow pace of land acquisition and Covid-19. The deadline for the project, earlier scheduled to be completed by December 2023, now stands revised.

Sharma also threw light on the Jammu and Kashmir railway project that entails a 260 km line. The top Railways official said trains are already operating for 151 km on this stretch and work pertaining to the construction of the remaining 109 km portion between Katra and Banihal will be underway soon. "We also had to construct approach roads as there is no National Highway on which we could send our trucks to various locations. We have obtained permission for tunnelling. We expect to wrap up this project by December 2022," he said.