President Murmu in her address to the joint session of Parliament on Thursday announced plans to conduct feasibility studies for bullet train corridors in the North, South, and East regions of the country. This initiative aims to expand the high-speed rail network across different parts of India.
Progress on Ahmedabad-Mumbai High-Speed Rail Project
President Murmu also mentioned the ongoing work on the Bullet Train project between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. She put spotlight on the work that is currently going on for the High-Speed Rail Ecosystem between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Murmu said that project is progressing at a rapid pace. This 508-km corridor, the first of its kind in India, will feature bullet trains running at speeds of 320 kmph, covering the distance in just 2 hours and 7 minutes with limited stops at Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad.
Projected Completion and Future Plans
The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited, responsible for constructing the project, has projected that the first phase between Surat and Bilimora will be completed by August 2026. This milestone marks significant progress in India’s journey towards developing a world-class public transport system.
Enhancing Public Transport
President Murmu emphasized the government’s extensive initiatives to enhance public transportation, focusing particularly on the expansion of metro services. She noted that over the past decade, metro services have been extended to 21 cities. Ongoing projects like Vande Metro exemplify the government’s commitment to elevate India’s public transport system to global standards, she added.