Modi's ambitious bullet train to have European Rail Traffic Management signaling system

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious bullet train project has been on a slow progress path. As per reports, around 15 per cent of the project work has been completed so far. The government aims to complete the project by the year 2022. Now, the National High-Speed Rail Corporation  (NHSRCL) has said that the signaling system on the bullet train corridor will be ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) Level 2.

"The signaling system on the #bullettrain corridor will be ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) Level 2, as per the project feasibility report. As ERTMS is developed to standardize train protection systems, it will give Indian rail interoperability with other networks," said the NHSRCL in a tweet. 

The signaling system on the #bullettrain corridor will be ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) Level 2, as per the project feasibility report. As ERTMS is developed to standardize train protection systems, it will give Indian rail interoperability with other networks pic.twitter.com/ePeKEFleIT

— NHSRCL (@nhsrcl) November 6, 2018

The ERTMS is considered one of the safest signalling systems as it enhances safety beyond the capability of legacy ATP systems. It reduces the possibility for human error providing a comprehensive automatic train protection (ATP) function.

The bullet train project has been in controversy over the land acquisition issues. Farmers in Gujarat and Maharashtra have been protesting against the land acquisition rules related to the project. 

However, MD of NHSRCL Achal Khare has said that the project will not be delayed and will be completed on time. 

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“Bullet train service will be available for public access in the year 2022. The issues related to land acquisition have been swiftly resolved one by one and its expected that around 80% of the land will be acquired by May 2019,” tweeted NHSRCL quoting Achal Khare's interview with a Hindi newspaper. 

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project has been sanctioned at a total completion cost of Rs 97,636 crore. The project will be implemented through financial and technical assistance from the Government of Japan. The assistance involves the provision of Japanese Yen loan for approximately 81% of total project cost at 0.1% per annum interest for 50 years with 15 years moratorium and transfer of technologies of construction.