Why is the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project facing delay? Ashwini Vaishnaw answers

Mumbai Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project Delay

One of the biggest questions now is why this ambitious project has been delayed. Initially, the Ministry of Railways had planned to make the first section of the MAHSR corridor operational by 2026.

Interacting with the media on February 23, 2024, Vaishnaw said, “This is the country’s first High Speed Corridor project…To further speed up the project certain innovations have been made.

Instead of working only at one place at a time, work has begun from four places parallelly. It is targeted that the first section of the High Speed Rail corridor between Surat and Bilimora will begin functioning in July/August 2026. Subsequently one after the another other sections will open.”

During the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, Lok Sabha MP Jai Prakash asked Railway Minister about the current status of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor and whether the country’s most ambitious rail project is running behind schedule.

In response, Vaishnaw said the MAHSR project was delayed due to setbacks in land acquisition in Maharashtra, which impacted the project till 2021. “The delay in land acquisition in the State of Maharashtra impacted the project till 2021. Thereafter, the land acquition picked up, currently, entire land (1389.5 Ha.) for MAHSR project has been acquired,” the minister said on July 6.

He also stated that all Statutory Clearances relating to wildlife, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and Forest clearance have been obtained. “All the civil contracts of the project have been awarded. Out of total 28 tender packages, 24 tender packages have been awarded. All 1651 utilities have been shifted,” Vaishnaw added.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Update

Out of total 12 stations, foundation works has been completed at 8 stations – Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Anand, Vadodara, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.

In Maharashtra section, foundation work is in progress at 3 stations (Thane, Virar, Boisar) and excavation work at BKC station is near completion and Casting of base slab started.

16 river bridges have been completed. Work is in advance stage at 5 major river bridges (Narmada, Vishwamitri, Mahi, Tapti and Sabarmati) in Gujarat and in progress in 4 river bridges in Maharashtra. Work on Depots (Thane, Surat and Sabarmati) is in full swing.

Work of the only tunnel in Gujarat has been completed. The work of the under-sea tunnel (21Km approx.) has started. Out of which, 4.0 km tunnel between Ghansoli and Shilphata in Maharashtra has been completed.