Railways planning to run Bullet train in two phases

Following problems arising in land acquisition for the Bullet Train project, the Indian Railways is now planning to operate it in a phased manner, planning to run Bullet train from Ahmedabad to Vapi, which is about 325 km stretch, in the first phase.

New Delhi: After facing issues on the land acquisition front, Indian Railways is now planning to operate Bullet trains in a phased manner.

On Saturday, Railway Board informed that if the issue persists, then the Bullet Train may run on the 325 km track from Ahmedabad to Vapi, in the first phase.

For the 508 km project, 68 percent land has been acquired by Railways. Civil contracts for 325 km of Rs 32000 crore has already been awarded. This includes the construction of 237 km viaduct between Vapi and Vadodara, 88 km viaduct between Vadodara and Ahmedabad and 4 stations.

While speaking over the issue, VK Yadav informed media that more than 90 percent of land has been acquired in Gujarat. While in Maharashtra, Railways has been able to acquire only 22 percent of land for Bullet Train project.

"The Maharashtra Government has assured us that in the next 4 months, we will be able to acquire 80 percent of land in phased manner. In such linear projects, we cannot invite tenders until we acquire 80-90 percent of land," he said.

The Railway official further added, "If we get the required land in Maharashtra, then we will commission both the phases together. But if the issue persists, we are also planning to run Bullet train from Ahmedabad to Vapi, which is about 325 km stretch, in the first phase."

The target year of Bullet Train project completion from Ahmedabad to Mumbai is 2024.