Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train by 2029? Railway Minister shares big update
"The Gujarat portion of the corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by Dec, 2027. The entire project (Maharashtra to Sabarmati section) is expected to be completed by Dec, 2029," Vaishnaw said in a written reply.He maintained that as it is a very complex and technology-intensive project, its exact competition timelines can be reasonably ascertained after the completion of all associated works of civil structures, track, electrical, signalling and telecommunication and supply of trainsets.The minister said the total estimated cost of the project is approximately Rs 1,08,000 crore, out of which the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding 81 per cent i.e. Rs 88,000 crore and the balance 19 per cent i.e. Rs 20,000 crore will be funded through equity contributions from the Ministry of Railways (50 per cent) and the governments of Maharashtra (25 per cent) and Gujarat (25 per cent).A cumulative financial expenditure of Rs 78,839 crore has been incurred on the project till June 30, he said."The delay in land acquisition in Maharashtra has impacted the project till 2021. However, currently, the entire land for the MAHSR project has been acquired," he added.The minister stated that the final location survey and geotechnical investigation have been completed and alignment finalised along with obtaining all statutory clearances relating to wildlife, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and forest clearance.Updating on the ongoing construction work, he said all the civil contracts for the project have been awarded."Out of a total 28 tender packages, 24 tender packages have been awarded. Till now, 392 km of pier construction, 329 km of girder casting and 308 km of girder launching have been completed. The work on the under-sea tunnel (21 km approx.) has also started," Vaishnaw said.He added, "In order to expand the HSR network in India beyond the MAHSR corridor and to meet the growing passenger demand between major cities of commercial/economic and tourist importance, detailed project reports (DPRs) are being prepared by National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL)."According to the railway minister, HSR projects are highly capital-intensive and any decision for taking up a new project is based on many factors such as technical feasibility, financial and economic viability, traffic demand and availability of funds and financing options, etc.advertisement"Commercial operation of the MAHSR project involves an affordable fare structure for the services, taking into account the socio-economic conditions of the clientele for optimum patronage of the HSR sectors," Vaishnaw said.- Ends
IN THIS STORY#Japan#Maharashtra#Gujarat#Ahmedabad#Mumbai
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Dalit student's suicide at CUK triggers outrage, allegations of cover-up
1 2 Pic: File photo of students staging a dharna at CUK Kalaburagi; Attendance sheets at CUK show a caste column Kalaburagi: The alleged suicide of Jayasri Nayak, 20, a student from Odisha, has raised many questions about the educational atmosphere at Central University Karnataka (CUK) here. As authorities broke the door of the room — where the body was found — without informing police, activists suspect efforts to destroy evidence. Since the student belonged to the Dalit community, casteism is also being suspected. Agitation regarding the death is getting traction by the day. P Nandakumar, who was a student for 8 years from UG to PhD and was president of Ambedkar Vidyarthi Sanghatane at CUK, told TOI that atrocities against Dalit students have been ongoing in the varsity since its inception. "However, there was space to agitate when a Dalit student committed suicide in 2017. For the past 3-4 years, even our right to protest has been suppressed. If we insist, an FIR is filed against us. It started in 2019 when Rahul, a student, questioned performing religious rituals on campus when the varsity is a secular place. Earlier, the varsity's SC/ ST cell provided financial assistance of Rs 20,000 for Dalit students intending to present their papers at national and international platforms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo Now, it has been stopped. Even the OBC cell is shut. So is the case with the book bank and computer facility for Dalit students preparing for competitive exams. Now, SC/ST researchers are forced to pay fees on a par with general students. A caste column was introduced in the attendance sheet. Though they announce in press releases that accommodation and food are free for SC/ ST students, rent and fees are collected. Only when we oppose it, it gets refunded. Though Article 28/1 says there should not be any religious symbol in educational institutions, they have installed a Saraswati statue long before the installation of an Ambedkar statue. There are hundreds of cases to prove our allegations," he explained. Dwarakanath CS, former chairman of Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, said he was prevented by security personnel from delivering a speech on Ambedkar last year. "I'm told there have been clashes between Dalit students and the varsity management for years. When we visited the campus at the request of Dalit students, we just offered a garland to the Ambedkar statue but were not allowed to speak about him. Many Dalit students shared that they are depressed by the casteist atrocities. Now, both the govt and the varsity management should consider the suicide of a Dalit student seriously," he said. K Neela, a social activist in Kalaburagi, alleged that the varsity is turning anti-women and anti-minorities too in recent years. When contacted, prof Battu Satyanarayana, CUK vice-chancellor, said: "The anti-women allegation is false. Girl students outnumber boy students in our varsity. We are providing all facilities to all students irrespective of caste and creed. During admission, we follow reservation rules. It is our duty to provide equal opportunities to all. We have not introduced caste columns in attendance. We will ask caste and category only during the admission to follow the reservation system. There is no caste-based discrimination in the campus. We are following UGC guidelines and norms specified by the Constitution." Responding to the recent suicide case, the VC said they did not know the student's caste until it was raised. "Security personnel might have broken the room door assuming that she might be alive and needed immediate medical care. After learning about her death, we immediately informed the police, who in turn informed her parents. Her parents informed us that she had some health issues," he stated. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Centre picks Medak for pharma energy scheme
1 2 Hyderabad: The Centre has selected Medak district in Telangana to promote global energy efficiency technologies in the pharma industryunder the Assistance in Deploying Energy Efficient Technologies in Industries and Establishments (ADEETIE). Through this scheme, MSMEs are expected to reduce energy consumption by 30 to 50%, enhance their power-to-product ratio, and support the creation of green energy corridors. The Centre has allocated Rs 1,000 crore for the scheme across the country. Being implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), the scheme aims to accelerate the adoption of advanced energy-efficient technologies in MSMEs. BEE has called upon all state govts to act swiftly and ensure the successful implementation of ADEETIE, urging engagement with state-designated agencies (SDAs) to inform stakeholders, identify suitable clusters, and assist MSMEs in transitioning to new technologies. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad ADEETIE is being rolled out across 60 industrial clusters and 14 energy-intensive sectors, such as textiles, foundries, and food processing, through a phased and cluster-specific approach targeting precise interventions for tangible outcomes. BEE has selected five states for the ADEETIE scheme to promote global energy efficiency technologies in the pharma industry, including Telangana. Apart from Medak, the scheme will also be implemented in Baddi, Madgaon, Ahmedabad, and Bidar for pharma sector innovation. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indian NRIs Are Getting Eligible For INR 2 Lakh Monthly Pension On Retirement. Invest 18K/M Get Offer Undo by Taboola by Taboola "ADEETIE is a big boon to the MSME sector," said Akash Tripathi, additional secretary, ministry of power and director general, BEE, urging all states to leverage this opportunity from the outset to ensure the scheme's success and optimise benefits for their industries. From the ₹1,000-crore budget, ₹875 crore is designated as interest subvention to facilitate concessional finance for energy-efficient upgrades, with ₹50 crore earmarked for implementation and capacity-building. The initiative is projected to mobilise investments of over ₹9,000 crore, including substantial contributions from MSMEs themselves. The Union govt views the scheme as an essential tool for post-pandemic recovery and for fostering long-term sustainability, employment generation, and the pursuit of India's climate and net-zero objectives. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Flagging a downturn: Future tense for Hubballi's khadi tricolour makers
Hubballi: Amendment to the National Flag Code, that allows citizens to hoist flags made of polyester and other materials throughout the year, has impacted the livelihood of workers involved in the making of khadi national flags at the production centre in Bengeri in Hubballi, under Karnataka Khadi Gramaodyog Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS). The centre, which previously held the exclusive rights to produce khadi flags, witnessed a sharp decline in orders, forcing workers, mostly skilled in traditional khadi weaving, to move to other tasks. An eerie silence hangs over the facility that used to typically produce thousands of flags annually, especially before Independence Day celebrations. The KKGSS management has diversified its production line to include other khadi products to sustain operations. This change has not only impacted direct employees, but also the entire supply chain, including raw material suppliers and local traders. Many traditional artisans who specialised in khadi flag-making for decades are suddenly being forced to learn new skills as the centre has started focusing on producing khadi bags, clothing, furnishings, and other traditional items. Apart from the obvious financial implications, the changed circumstances come with an emotional disconnect as well. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Glasgow: If You Were Born Between 1940-1975 You Could Be Eligible For This Life Cover Reassured Get Quote Undo While polyester flags are cheaper and more readily available, khadi flags represent a connection to India's freedom struggle and the self-reliance movement. Annapurna Doddamani, the manager at KKGSS national flag production centre, said the centre, with its 25 artisans, halted flag production in March-April this year due to diminished demand. To keep the artisans employed, they have moved to producing khadi bags. The artisans now make 10-15 zippered bags daily, earning only around Rs 25 per bag. Shivanand Mathapati, the KKGSS secretary, reported that the centre currently holds a flag inventory worth more than Rs 2 crore. The organisation sought amendments to the modified National Flag Code during the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' celebration, marking 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'. Even then, the flag production unit continues to struggle. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
