India’s Bullet Train running late: Completion date still uncertain, launch in limbo – What’s the hold up?

Upon its full completion, the high-speed rail line will encompass a total of 12 bullet train stations. (Reuters)

The Bullet train is running late. To be exact, the entire Bullet Train project is running late. The ambitious project was launched in September of 2017 and was set to be inaugurated on India’s 75th Independence Day – August 15, 2022. Fast forward it to 2024 and we are still awaiting an exact launch date for the project.

A recent RTI response from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) about the Bullet Train project’s completion date revealed that the Indian Railways is not certain about the exact completion date of the country’s first bullet train project because all work tenders have not been awarded yet.

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Some of the reasons behind missing the deadline include land acquisition in Maharashtra and COVID-19 pandemic. However, in January this year the NHSRCL informed that the land acquisition process in Maharashtra and Gujarat has now been completed.

Vague timelines over the years

Madhya Pradesh-based Chandra Shekhar Gaur sought to know if the NHSRCL is in a position to give a final date for the completion of the whole project through an application under the RTI.

The NHSRCL, which is constructing the 508 km long corridor, responded by saying that it cannot ascertain the exact dates of project completion owing to the unawarded tenders. “Completion date for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project (MAHSRP) can be assessed after award of all tenders/packages.”

Notably, the NHSRCL further said that rail tracks have not been laid yet, adding, however, by April 6, 2024, “a total length of 157 km viaduct has been completed”.

The timeline for the project has been kind of vague over the years. During its inauguration in September 2017, the Centre said that their aim is to start the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train on August 15, 2022 “to commemorate the 75th year of India’s Independence, a year ahead of its schedule”. COVID-19 pandemic and the following lockdowns created hurdles, disturbing the schedule.

Also ReadMumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project: Completion date of entire project depends on award of all tenders, says Indian Railways in RTI reply

Come December 2022, the then Managing Director of NHSRCL, Rajendra Prasad said the first bullet train is likely to be operational by 2027. Contrary to Prasad’s statement, two years later in 2024, Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Bullet Train will start operations in August 2026.

Upon its full completion, the high-speed rail line will encompass a total of 12 bullet train stations. These proposed stations comprise Mumbai, Boisar, Vapi, Virar, Thane, Bilimora, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand/Nadiad, Surat, and Sabarmati Ahmedabad.