Introduction
India is poised to witness a groundbreaking transformation in its rail transportation network as the nation gears up to launch its homegrown bullet trains. The ambitious project, already underway, promises to revolutionize the way Indians travel, offering unprecedented speeds and unparalleled convenience. With a top speed exceeding 250 kilometers per hour (kmph), these indigenous bullet trains will surpass the capabilities of any existing trains within the Indian Railways network, ushering in a new era of rapid transit.
The Vande Bharat Platform: A Foundation for Speed
The design and development of India's homegrown bullet trains are being meticulously crafted at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, under the watchful eye of the Indian Railways. Leveraging the successful Vande Bharat platform, which currently boasts a maximum speed of 220 kmph, the engineers are pushing the boundaries of speed and efficiency.
According to a top government official, the focus has been on increasing the speed of Indian Railways trains. "The [proposed] variant Vande Bharat trains can now accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 52 seconds while existing bullet trains achieve this in 54 seconds," the official informed the Economic Times.
Speed and Performance: On Par with Global Standards
India's homegrown bullet trains will match the speed and performance of high-speed trains operating in various parts of the globe, including the renowned French TGV and the Japanese Shinkansen. With a projected top speed exceeding 250 kmph, these trains will offer a travel experience that is not only rapid but also comfortable and efficient.
Routes
India-built bullet trains will operate on corridors designated for the north, south, and east regions, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, April 14, during the unveiling of the BJP's manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
PM Modi pledged the establishment of three additional bullet train routes across the nation, affirming that the inaugural corridor linking Ahmedabad to Mumbai is nearing completion, with surveys for the subsequent corridors slated to commence soon. Currently, the bullet trains destined for the Ahmedabad-Mumbai route are utilizing Japanese technology, specifically the Shinkansen E5 series capable of reaching speeds of 320 kmph. Highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance the speed of Indian Railways trains, an official emphasized that India's maiden Bullet Train, announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during the News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2024 in March, is anticipated to commence operations in 2026, initially serving the Surat to Bilimora section in Gujarat.
Unveiling New Corridors: Expanding the Network
The made-in-India bullet trains will ply along the recently announced north, south, and east corridors, as per the manifesto released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Lok Sabha polls 2024. These new corridors will utilize more Indian technology and domestic manufacturing, further bolstering the nation's self-reliance in the rail sector.
Complementing the existing western corridor, which was established through collaboration with Japan and incorporates advanced Japanese technology, the new corridors will cater to the growing demand for high-speed rail travel across the country.
Progress and Milestones
The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL), responsible for executing the bullet train project, has already achieved significant milestones. As of December 2023, the project stands at 39.12% completion, with varying progress across regions. Gujarat leads the way with a 47.44% completion rate, while Maharashtra follows closely at 22.03%. Land acquisition, a crucial aspect of any infrastructure project, has been successfully completed in Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Maharashtra, with approximately 81% of acquired land in Maharashtra under the possession of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
Financial Progress and Investment
The financial progress of the project is equally noteworthy, with around ₹54,000 crore raised thus far and approximately ₹11,400 crore utilized in the current fiscal year (FY24). The total project cost is estimated to exceed ₹1.08 trillion, with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) extending a soft loan of approximately ₹40,000 crore for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project.
Japanese Collaboration and Concerns
While India forges ahead with its homegrown bullet train initiative, the project also benefits from collaboration with Japan. The Japanese team has finalized the detailed design work for signaling and telecommunication (S&T) and has opted to make advance orders for essential S&T equipment, ensuring seamless operations along the 12 stations on the route.
However, the progress report indicates that negotiations over pricing for electrical works were initiated by the Japanese side with a single bidder in October 2023, highlighting potential challenges in the collaborative efforts.
Project Progress
According to the December report obtained by businessline, progress on the bullet train project varies across different regions. In Maharashtra, completion stands at 22.03%, while in Gujarat, it reaches 47.44%. Overall, the project is 39.12% complete. Land acquisition has been completed in Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Maharashtra, with approximately 81% of acquired land in Maharashtra under the possession of the SPV.
Railway officials report that all 11 civil tender packages in Gujarat and Maharashtra have been awarded. Financial progress is noted at 44.36%, with around ₹54,000 crore raised so far and approximately ₹11,400 crore utilized in the current fiscal year (FY24).
Expenditure in December 2023 amounted to ₹1,173 crore. Minister Vaishnaw had previously mentioned that political differences with the former Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra had caused delays in various aspects of the bullet train project, such as land acquisition, tendering, and contract awards.
Timelines and Operationalization
The project's timeline sets ambitious deadlines for different sections, with the Surat-Bilimoria section slated for operationalization by July 2026 and the Sagarmati-Vapi section by August 2027. These milestones underline the nation's commitment to delivering a world-class high-speed rail network within a defined timeframe. According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the total amount of funds utilized for the manufacture of Vande Bharat trains is ₹1343.72 crore, showcasing the nation's commitment to investing in cutting-edge rail technology.
Conclusion
India's homegrown bullet trains represent a remarkable stride towards modernizing the nation's transportation infrastructure. With ambitious speed targets, extensive network expansion, and a blend of indigenous and collaborative efforts, this project promises to elevate the country's rail travel experience to unprecedented heights. As the nation gears up for this transformative journey, the homegrown bullet trains stand as a testament to India's engineering prowess and its unwavering commitment to providing its citizens with world-class rapid transit solutions.
Comments