Question : Bullet Train Project

(a) whether the Government has started the project of first Bullet Train in the country;

(b) If so, the present status thereof;

(c) the details of relocation and compensation packages that are being offered to agricultural landowners in Maharashtra and Gujarat, whose land the Government intends to acquire for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail corridor;

(d) whether the Government is anticipating an increase in the project costs due to the continued delay of the project;

(e) If so, the reasons therefor; and

(f) whether the latest deferment of the deadline is 2026 and if so, the manner in which this is likely to impact the MoU with the Japanese Government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency along with the total expenditure thereof?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)


(a) to (f) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.500 BY SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 06.04.2022 REGARDING BULLET TRAIN PROJECT
(a) and (b) : Yes, Sir. The Government has sanctioned the first High Speed Rail Corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in December, 2015 with technical & financial assistance from Government of Japan and the same is presently under execution. The current status of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project is as under:
• All Statutory Clearances relating to wildlife, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and Forest clearance have been obtained.

• Out of total land requirement of approx. 1396 ha., about 1248 ha. Land has been acquired so far.

• The entire project has been divided into 27 Contract packages including Training Institute at Vadodara. At present, 13 packages have been awarded, 3 are under evaluation and Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) has been invited for 2 packages.

• Out of total 352 Km length of project located in Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Civil works in 352 Km length have started in different phases from December, 2020 onwards.

(c): The land acquisition and Rehabilitation activities for the MAHSR Project is being done in accordance with the “Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013” and relevant amendment and Government Resolutions (GR) of the respective State Governments.

(d) to (f): The cost of MAHSR Project is ? 1,08,000 crore as in 2015. Delay in land acquisition especially in the State of Maharashtra and consequent delays in finalization of contracts as well as adverse impact of COVID-19 have delayed the execution of MAHSR Project. The anticipated increase in cost and time can be fully ascertained only after completion of Land Acquisition, finalization of all contracts and associated timelines.

As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Government of Japan will provide a loan of 81% at maximum of the project cost. Finalization of actual cost and the quantum of loan shall be amended accordingly if required.
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