Government targets 2022 as deadline for bullet train project

NEW DELHI: The Centre has set up an ambitious goal of making India’s first superfast bullet train corridor operational by August 15, 2022. The government has introduced some time saving measures like installation of a new temporary depot, new technology to lay girders amongst others. The temporary depot is scheduled for installation at Surat and would be built to keep trains in case the government decides to open the elevated section of the project first. India and Japan are working together on the project since 2017. Protests over inadequate compensation have slowed down the land acquisition process for the project. About 35 per cent of the land required for the project has been acquired so far, according to the Achal Khare, Managing Director of National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRC). NHSRC is tasked with the execution of the project. “We will open the tender [for the elevated section] in August and will award it by the year end. The expected cost of the civil work of this 237-km section is Rs 20,000 crore. This includes the temporary depot in Surat in case we will have to open this section before August 15, 2022,” said Achal Khare.