India's first bullet train to be operational by 2028: Devendra Fadnavis
The USD 15 billion Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, which is being constructed in association with Japan, will be up and running by 2028, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated on Monday. Fadnavis further stated that the state plans to raise USD 50 billion from global financiers for developing infrastructure in the state, which will be announced in four months.Fadnavis stated the bullet train project lagged during a two-year tenure up to 2022, but the work is now going on in full flow.advertisement"By 2028, we will have the option of travelling on the bullet train," Fadnavis stated, admitting that neighbouring state Gujarat is ahead of Maharashtra in the development of the project.
Fadnavis stated that developing infrastructure is extremely crucial to reach the target of USD 1 trillion GSDP, and that USD 30 billion was spent on infrastructure development during his first term as chief minister from 2014-19, and more funds are being invested in crucial projects now.Delivering an address on the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) project of VRF during an event held here, he indicated the Vadhavan port would start operations in 3–4 years from now.According to him, since the port will be constructed on reclaimed land, the cost of logistics would decrease as the turnaround time for JNPA, the biggest container port nearby in India, is greater.advertisementThe Vadhavan port will also be accompanied by a surrounding airport that will be constructed through land reclamation off the sea, Fadnavis explained, commenting that most big cities across the world have such airports. It will also include a bullet train halt, Fadnavis added.The chief minister stated that Maharashtra is constructing a road from Nashik to Vadhavan port that will make sure that 17 districts of the state become connected with the new port.The state is constructing the Shaktipeeth road to link Nagpur with Goa, Fadnavis stated, adding that this road link, going through the backwards areas, will also prove beneficial in increasing the economic growth.He stated that Mumbai and Maharashtra would be key to the IMEEC, and promised that the state would develop the enabling ecosystem for the project to succeed.Addressing the same event, Sanjeev Krishan, the country chairperson of consultancy firm Pwc, stated that the corridor, when added to the existing trade corridors, will have a multiplier effect on the world economy.
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