Completing Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project Rapidly Our Priority: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday pushed for early completion of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project and said his government's focus is on creating infrastructure for the 21st century in the financial capital.

He said the ambitious project (also called bullet train) is the need of the hour as it will strength infrastructure capacity building and reinforce Mumbai's identity as 'the city of dreams'.

PM Modi was speaking after virtually inaugurating two additional railway lines (5th and 6th) connecting Thane and Diva in the Mumbai metropolitan region. He also flagged off two suburban trains.

Recalling the contribution of the metropolitan city of Mumbai in the progress of independent India, PM Modi said that now the effort is to increase Mumbai’s capability manifold with regard to its contribution for Aatmnirbhar Bharat..

“That is why our special focus is on creating 21st century infrastructure for Mumbai”, he said.

Thousands of crore rupees are being invested in rail connectivity in Mumbai as Mumbai Suburban Rail system is being equipped with the latest technology, the Prime Minister said.

He also said that efforts are on for adding additional 400 Kms in the Mumbai Suburban and 19 stations are planned to be modernised with facilities like modern CBTC signal system.

Speaking about the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, PM Modi said that completing the project rapidly is priority of the government.

“Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Rail is country’s need and it will strengthen Mumbai’s identity as city of dreams. Completing this project rapidly is our priority," said PM Modi, according to a Prime Minister's Office release.

The estimated cost of the 508km high-speed corridor is Rs 1,10,000 crore and the project that is being executed with Japanese assistance.

The bullet train project is being implemented by National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).

The project is the first High-Speed Rail corridor to be implemented in India. It is being executed with technical and financial assistance from the Government of Japan.

Out of the total 508 km length of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project, 352 km lies in the state of Gujarat (348 Km) and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (4 km), and the balance 156 km lies in the state of Maharashtra.

Out of 352 km, the civil contracts of 343 km are already awarded. L&T is the executing agency for 325 km length, through two packages awarded to them.

In November last year, the NHSRCL invited bids for 21 km underground tunneling works for the project.

The tunnel will be between Mumbai underground station at Bandra-Kurla Complex and Shilphata in the State of Maharashtra.

This package includes a seven km undersea tunnel that will be built under Thane creek. NHSRCL said that this package is open to Japanese and/or Indian companies.

(With inputs from PTI)

Also Read: Bullet Train Project: Over Rs 14,000 Crore Spent So Far In Gujarat To Build Mumbai - Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail