Modi-Abe lay foundation stone for bullet train; advance deadline by a year

#BulletTrain India's first bullet train project launched; Shinzo Abe Says 'Namaskar' @PMOIndia @JPN_PMO pic.twitter.com/6tnpJk79JU

— Zee Business (@ZeeBusiness) September 14, 2017

Key Highlights

• Length of the bullet train journey estimated to be 508 KMs.
• Estimated cost of the train is Rs 1.08 lakh crore. 
• The train will cover 12 stations with a portion of the train running under water.

The construction of India’s first ever bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad began on Thursday with the country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan laying the foundation of the construction.

With PM @AbeShinzo at the 'Sidi Saiyyid Ni Jaali’ in Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/np0F5KTUdm

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 13, 2017

Had the honour of taking Mrs. Abe and PM @AbeShinzo to the Sabarmati Ashram & showing them this iconic place. pic.twitter.com/RFsFA8KpHg

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 13, 2017

Welcomed Mrs. Abe and PM @AbeShinzo to India. #SwagatShinzoSan pic.twitter.com/FsxEGwp01V

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 13, 2017

The train which is expected to cut the travelling time from Mumbai to Ahmedabad down to two hours from the current eight hours is cited to be ready six years from now by December 2023.

However the government said it was planning on having the train up and running a year earlier.

“All-out efforts will be made to complete it by 15th August 2022,” the government said

The bullet train using ‘new Shinkansen Technology by the Japanese,’ is expected to run at a stunning speed of 350kmph.

A portion of the train will also travel underground under the Thane Creek, the government said. This would be the ‘longest tunnel 21 KM switch 7 KMs undersea.’

The government said there will be 12 stations between Mumbai to Ahmedabad: Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, Sabarmati.

“Underground station Mumbai, all others elevated,” the government said adding that the corridor has been elevated for safety and land economy.

The total cost of the project has been estimated to be at Rs 1.08 lakh crore. “81% of the project cost by Japanese soft loan at 0.1%per annum with repayment period 50 years–including grace period of 15 years.”

Watch the video to see the operations of the bullet train.

Also Read:

• Bullet train: Now, BKC to Thane in 10 minutes and to Virar in 24 minutes
• Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train to be ready by 2023
• Bandra Kurla Complex to be Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train's first stop