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News18
23-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Update: Rs 79,000 Crore Spent So Far; Commercial Operations By 2027
The expected timeline of the train operations coincides with the scheduled assembly polls in the two states – Gujarat around 2027 end and Maharashtra towards the end of 2029. The Vapi-Sabarmati section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project in Gujarat is expected to be ready by December 2027 while the entire corridor connecting Mumbai will be operational by the end of 2029, the Railway Ministry informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. As of June-end, Rs 78,839 crore has been spent on the project. The expected timeline of the train operations coincides with the scheduled assembly polls in the two states – Gujarat around 2027 end and Maharashtra towards the end of 2029. Two MPs from Gujarat – Surat MP Mukesh Dalal and Kheda MP Devusinh Chauhan – had asked the ministry about the status of the project — started in September 2017. The High Speed Rail Project, famous as India's first bullet train – is currently under execution with technical and financial assistance from the Government of Japan, the Ministry explained. The 508 km route covers Gujarat, Maharashtra and Dadra & Nagar Haveli with 12 stations planned – one each at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati. 'The Gujarat portion of the corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by December 2027. The entire project (Maharashtra to Sabarmati section) is expected to be completed by December 2029," the Ministry said. However, the Ministry also said that the bullet train project is a very complex and technology intensive Project. ' Exact timelines for the completion of the project can be reasonably ascertained after the completion of all associated works of civil structures, track, electrical, signaling & telecommunication and supply of trainsets," it added. In March 2024, Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had announced that the services between Surat and Bilimora will be ready by 2026. Spending Touches Rs 79,000 crore Total estimated cost of the MAHSR project is Rs 1.08 lakh crore. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding 81 per cent of the project cost (Rs 88,000 crore). The remaining 19 per cent (Rs 20,000 crore) is funded through equity contributions from the Ministry of Railways (50 per cent) and Maharashtra (25 per cent) and Gujarat (25 per cent) governments. 'Cumulative financial expenditure of Rs 78,839 crore has been incurred on the project till June 30," the Ministry added. Earlier this month, News18 reported that the Japanese government has agreed to introduce E10 Shinkansen trains in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. Japan currently operates the E5 series Shinkansen trains and the E10 is the next-generation upgrade. The E10 will be introduced simultaneously in India and Japan. Execution Status: 4 Tenders Left The Ministry informed the house that all the civil contracts of the project have been awarded. 'Out of total 28 tender packages, 24 tender packages have been awarded." So far, 392 km of pier construction, 329 km of girder casting and 308 km of girder launching have been completed. 'The work of the under-sea tunnel (21 km approx.) has also started," the Ministry stated. The Railways said that the delay in land acquisition in Maharashtra impacted the project till 2021. 'However, currently, entire land (1389.5 Ha.) for the MAHSR project has been acquired. The Final Location Survey and geotechnical investigation completed and alignment finalised. All statutory clearances relating to wildlife, coastal regulation zone (CRZ) and forest clearance have been obtained," it shared. More Bullet Train Routes Expected The Railway Ministry explained that in order to expand the bullet train network in India beyond MAHSR corridor and to meet the growing passenger demand between major cities of commercial/economic and tourist importance, Detailed Project Report (DPRs) are being prepared by National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL). 'The 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," it stated. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! News india Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Update: Rs 79,000 Crore Spent So Far; Commercial Operations By 2027 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Gujarat Confidential: A bus ride
Governor Acharya Devvrat on Sunday traveled to Anand in a Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) bus to attend a natural farming conclave at Anand Agriculture University like a common man, bypassing the conventional VIP protocol and special traffic arrangements. As per an official release, the Governor made online booking for a non-AC Super Deluxe category bus operating on the Visnagar-Anand route. He boarded the bus from Gandhinagar depot. At Anand bus station, the Governor was welcomed by senior officials of the district administration. During the 'simple and humble journey', the Governor engaged with fellow passengers and collected feedback on the services provided by the state government. Call for Name Change Opposing Turkey's support for Pakistan during India's recent military confrontation with the neighbouring country, Surat BJP MP Mukesh Dalal has written a letter to Surat Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agrawal, requesting her to change the name of Turkiwad, a locality in the walled city area of Surat, with immediate effect. Dalal, in the letter, has said that the name Turkiwad was like an 'insult' to the people of Surat. A few days ago, some people from Surat had also written a letter to the SMC commissioner with the demand for a change of name for Turkiwad.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
INS Surat docks at Hazira on Gujarat Foundation Day
Surat: The Indian Naval Ship Surat arrived at Adani Port in Hazira on Thursday. The warship was welcomed by BJP MPs Mukesh Dalal and Govind Dholakia. The crest of INS Surat bears a likeness of the Hazira Lighthouse, built in 1836, and Asiatic lions, symbolising the heritage of Gujarat and the excellence of the Indian Navy . The crest of the warship was unveiled in Surat in Nov 2023 by chief minister Bhupendra Patel. From the 16th to 18th century, Surat was a major centre for shipbuilding and maritime trade. At one point, ships with the flags of 84 countries anchored in the waters of Surat. Surat played a vital role in maintaining maritime trade and commercial relations. To honour the shipbuilding legacy of Gujarat's commercial and historic city of Surat, the Indian Navy named the warship INS Surat. INS Surat is the fourth and final stealth guided missile destroyer of the Visakhapatnam class of the Navy's Project 15. Last year, the fourth warship of the class was named INS Surat. On this occasion, Dalal said, "The warship Surat is named after the city of Surat, Gujarat's economic capital. Surat is renowned for its ancient maritime heritage and legacy in shipbuilding and with this step by the Navy, the bond between Surat and the Indian Navy has grown stronger." Rajya Sabha MP Dholakia said, "Of the various warships India has, INS Surat is equipped with all advanced technologies. The arrival of this ship in Surat is a moment of pride for us." The general public will not be allowed entry to view the ship. Only invited guests are allowed entry at Adani Port, a statement from the govt said. INS Surat was built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. Most of its equipment and resources are indigenously developed, reflecting the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India'. The ship is 167m in length, 17.4m in width and weighs 7,400 tonnes. It can travel at a speed of over 30 knots, which is more than 56kmph. INS Surat is capable of anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare. It is equipped with network-centric warfare capabilities and advanced sensors. It has a complement of 50 naval officers and 250 sailors. INS Surat is armed with 16 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for surface-to-surface attacks and 32 Barak-8 medium range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAM) for surface-to-air defence. It also includes a 76mm super rapid gun mount (SRGM), four AK-630M close-in weapon systems, two twin L&T torpedo launchers and two L&T rocket launchers for anti-submarine warfare. INS Surat is equipped with the advanced MF-STAR radar. It can operate helicopters such as the Chetak, ALH (advanced light helicopter), Sea King and MH-60R at day and night. It features a railless helicopter traversing system and a visual aid landing system. On Jan 15, 2025, INS Surat was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, along with INS Nilgiri and INS Vagsheer. On April 24, INS Surat successfully conducted a test of the MRSAM in the Arabian Sea, accurately destroying a low-flying target approaching from the sea surface.
Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
As SC seeks minimum votes in uncontested polls, a look at when MPs, MLAs got a free pass
While hearing a plea by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy challenging the validity of a provision in the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre and the Election Commission (EC) if there should be a minimum vote requirement in the case of uncontested elections. The existing provision says that in the event of an uncontested election – that is, if there is only one candidate in the fray – the EC shall declare the only contestant as the winner without voting. 'Will it not be a very welcome and progressive step where only one candidate is left in (the fray) and still you say that you will be declared (elected) only when you get at least 10%, 15% (votes),' asked Justice Surya Kant, presiding over a two-judge Bench. Since 1952, when the first elections were held in India, a total of 29 MPs and 298 MLAs, including through bypolls, have been elected unopposed. Lok Sabha Most recently, more than a month-and-a-half before the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP 's Mukesh Dalal was declared elected uncontested from Surat after the eight remaining nominees withdrew. It is rare, if not uncommon, for a Lok Sabha candidate to be elected unopposed. Most such cases, at five each, were in the 1952, 1957 (when the pool of candidates was much smaller as elections had just begun and fewer parties in the fray), and 1967 elections. Jammu and Kashmir has seen the most MPs elected unopposed, at four. Only eight states have sent more than one legislator to Parliament uncontested, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. [MAP: State-wise MPs elected unopposed] Of the 29 MPs elected unopposed so far, the Congress has seen the most at 20. The National Conference (NC) and Samajwadi Party (SP) follow with two each. Just one Independent has won the parliamentary election unopposed. Dalal is the first BJP MP in this list. Only two Lok Sabha seats have seen an MP elected unopposed more than once – Sikkim and Srinagar. Among the notable MPs who were elected unopposed are former Deputy Prime Minister and Maharashtra CM Y B Chavan from Nasik via a bypoll; former J&K CM and NC chief Farooq Abdullah from Srinagar; former Nagaland CM and ex-Governor of four states S C Jamir; Odisha's first CM Harekrushna Mahatab from Angul; former member of the Constituent Assembly and Congress leader T T Krishnamachari from Tamil Nadu's Tiruchendur; and former Union Ministers P M Sayeed from Lakshadweep and K L Rao from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. State Assemblies In Assemblies, Nagaland leads the way with the most MLAs elected unopposed at 77, followed by Jammu and Kashmir at 63, and Arunachal Pradesh at 40. All three states have struggled with militancy. In 1962, the year of the India-China War, the Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, erstwhile Mysore, and J&K saw the most state legislators elected unopposed in a single year at 47. After that, the highest tallies for a single year came in 1998 at 45, and in 1967 and 1972 at 33 each. Since 1952, just nine years have seen unopposed wins hit double-digit figures. For over two decades on either side of 1998, uncontested wins in Assembly seats were rare occurrences. [MAP: State-wise MLAs elected unopposed]Again, the Congress leads with the most MLAs elected unopposed, at 194 of 298, followed by the National Conference (NC) at 34, and the BJP at 15. To date, 29 Independents have been elected unopposed. The last time an Independent won an uncontested election was in 2002, when engineer-turned-activist Sonam Wangchuk in Nubra and former state minister Nawang Rigzin Jora in Leh won unopposed in then undivided J&K. Most recently, in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly polls, CM Pema Khandu of the BJP along with nine other party candidates were elected unopposed. A sixth of the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh Assembly was elected unopposed, one seat shy of the record set in 2014, when 11 candidates won without an election being required. Khandu and former J&K CM Syed Mir Qasim have been elected unopposed a record three times each. Khandu's Mukto Assembly seat has seen the most instances of an MLA elected unopposed at five. Before Khandu, his father and former CM Dorjee Khandu won the seat in 1990 and 2009 without a contest.
