Patna: The first bullet train, between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, will start by 2023, Chairman Railway Board (CRB) Aswani Lohani announced on Friday during his first visit to the Eastern Central Railway (ECR) headquarters.
On September 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe had laid the foundation stone for India's first bullet train project.
Asked about its present status, Lohani said: "The bullet train between Ahmedabad and Mumbai will start by 2023. We are trying to cover a few sections by 2022 itself. The project is going on as per plan."
The Prime Minister had earlier described the ambitious Rs 1.10 lakh crore project, which will cut travel time between the two cities from seven to less than three hours, as a "big gift from Japan to India".
The bullet train can carry 750 people.
Lohani described the bullet train project as a major shift in Indian Railways' thought process. "We have to run the existing railway system in better ways, but at the same time we have to get acquainted with the latest technology in the world," Lohani said. "Be it high speed trains, signalling or the latest locomotive in Madhepura, we have to move ahead in parallel ways. I must tell you that the bullet train project is going on the right track."
Japan has forwarded a Rs 88,000 crore loan at 0.1 per cent interest for the project. The project is a joint venture between Indian Railways and Japan's Shinkansen Technology. The train would cover the over 500km distance in less than three hours.
Asked about former railway minister Lalu Prasad's statement that the amount being spent on the bullet train was too high, and could have been invested to improve basic amenities for passengers, Lohani said: "See, it has been decided that bullet train will run and it will run." He further said: "I must tell you that we have roped in Shinkansen, considered the best technology in the world. Ever since the technology came into practice, in 1965, no accidents have taken place. As far as funding is concerned, it is a very soft basis funding and the issue that you have raised does not fall in this criteria because there is no financial burden."
The CRB also announced that railways is contributing to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and by March 2019 all trains would be equipped with bio-toilets after which there would be no discharge on the railway tracks.
Asked about punctuality, Lohani claimed safety aspect was affecting train punctuality. "The percentage of train punctuality in Indian Railways is around 65 per cent; 35 per cent trains run behind schedule. There are many reason why trains run late, but the most important is safety. We cannot compromise with safety at any cost. It will remain our topmost priority," Lohani said.
He had earlier visited Patna Junction as well.
ECR general manager Lalit Chandra Trivedi said speed of passengers trains in ECR has been raised from 100 kmph to 120kmph.