How much will Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train's ticket cost?
Get ready to shell out Rs. 3,000 if you want a ticket of India's first bullet train, which will run between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. On Friday, an official working with the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited revealed this information. Interestingly, the cost of a plane ticket, if booked in advance is around Rs. 1,500, half the expected price of the bullet train ticket.
The bullet train is not behind deadline
The important information about the much-awaited bullet train was revealed by Achal Khare, Managing Director of NHSRCL. He mentioned that 1,380 hectare of land is required for the project. This includes private, government, forest, and railway land. Khare pointed out that 622-hectare land, translating to roughly 45%, has already been acquired. He hinted that the project will meet its December 2023 deadline.
Work on undersea tunnel to start next year: Khare
Further, Khare added, "We have divided the project into 27 packages. We have already issued tenders for four major civil work packages, including the undersea tunnel in Maharashtra. We hope that the work would start by March or April next year."
Meanwhile, Khare said farmers' concerns are being addressed
Notably, the mega-project has miffed many farmers, especially those from Gujarat. Speaking about it, Khare said they aren't against the project but want land rates to be revised, which hasn't been done since 2011. The farmers have been demanding that the rates should be revised before they are compensated. Khare said that of total 198 affected villages, trouble persists in only 15 of them.
Train will cover 508 kilometres in less than 3 hours
The bullet train corridor will have 12 stations across the 508 km stretch between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The train is expected to complete this journey in less than 3 hours. A 237 km long viaduct will also be constructed between Vapi and Vadodara.