Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways addresses questions regarding the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, outlining its current status, funding, challenges, and future vision. The Gujarat section is expected to be completed by December 2027, with the entire project (Maharashtra to Sabarmati) targeted for completion by December 2029. The project faces challenges related to its complexity, but all land acquisition and statutory clearances have been obtained.
Key Points / Main Content:
Project Overview:
* The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project is a 508 km project under execution with technical and financial assistance from the Government of Japan.
* The route passes through Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Dadra Nagar Haveli, with 12 stations planned.
Timeline:
* Gujarat section (Vapi to Sabarmati) is planned for completion by December 2027.
* The entire project (Maharashtra to Sabarmati section) is expected to be completed by December 2029.
* Exact timelines are subject to completion of civil structures, track work, electrical systems, signaling, telecommunications, and trainset supply.
Funding:
* The total estimated cost is approximately Rs. 1,08,000 crores.
* Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding 81% (Rs. 88,000 crores).
* The remaining 19% (Rs. 20,000 crores) will be funded through equity contributions from the Ministry of Railways (50%) and the State Governments of Maharashtra (25%) and Gujarat (25%).
* Cumulative financial expenditure of Rs. 78,839 crore has been incurred on the project till 30.06.2025.
Challenges and Progress:
* Delays due to land acquisition in Maharashtra impacted the project until 2021; however, all land (1389.5 Ha.) has now been acquired.
* Final Location Survey and Geotechnical investigation completed and alignment finalized.
* All statutory clearances (wildlife, CRZ, and forest) have been obtained.
* All civil contracts have been awarded (24 out of 28 tender packages).
* Construction progress includes 392 km of pier construction, 329 km of Girder Casting and 308 km of Girder launching, and the start of work on an approximately 21 km undersea tunnel.
Future Expansion:
* Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are being prepared by National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) to expand the HSR network beyond the MAHSR corridor.
* Decisions for new projects will be based on technical feasibility, financial viability, traffic demand, and funding availability.
Affordability:
* Commercial operation of the MAHSR project will involve an affordable fare structure, considering the socioeconomic conditions of passengers.
Impact Analysis:
Government of India (Ministry of Railways):
* Impact: Responsible for overall project execution, funding, and coordination.
* Action Required: Continue to oversee project progress, manage funding, and address any remaining challenges to meet the set deadlines.
State Governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat:
* Impact: Responsible for equity contribution and facilitation of project implementation within their respective states.
* Action Required: Fulfill financial commitments and support project activities to ensure timely completion.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA):
* Impact: Providing significant financial and technical assistance to the project.
* Action Required: Continue to provide funding as per the agreement and offer technical expertise as needed.
National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL):
* Impact: Responsible for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for future HSR projects.
* Action Required: Develop comprehensive DPRs that consider technical, financial, and economic factors.
General Public (Passengers):
* Impact: Will benefit from high-speed rail connectivity between major cities.
* Action Required: Await the completion of the project and the establishment of an affordable fare structure.
Key Entities Referenced
Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project: A high-speed rail project under execution between Mumbai, Maharashtra and Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA): The funding agency providing financial assistance for the MAHSR project.
Gujarat: One of the states through which the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project passes. A portion of the corridor in Gujarat between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by Dec, 2027
Maharashtra: One of the states through which the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project passes. Delay in land acquisition in Maharashtra impacted the project.
Dadra Nagar Haveli: A Union Territory through which the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project passes.
Ministry of Railways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the railways and involved in funding the MAHSR project.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL): The entity preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for expanding the HSR network in India beyond the MAHSR corridor.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 54
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
MUMBAI-AHMEDABAD BULLET TRAIN
*54. SHRI MUKESHKUMAR CHANDRAKAANT DALAL:
SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of current status of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet
Train project and the updated phase-wise plan along with timeline
for its completion and operational launch;
(b) the details of total funds allocated and utilised for this project
so far including financial assistance received from Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) or other international
funding bodies;
(c) whether key challenges including land acquisition,
environmental clearances and technological partnerships have
delayed the project and if so, the details thereof and the steps
taken/being taken to resolve them;
(d) whether the Government has conducted any feasibility studies
for extending high-speed rail networks to other corridors and if so,
the details thereof;
(e) the details of Government’s long-term vision for high-speed
rail; and
(f) whether there is a national strategy to ensure affordability and
accessibility for middle-class and low-income passengers and if so,
the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING 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 LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 54 TO BE ANSWERED ON
23.07.2025
(a) to (f): The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR)
Project (508 km) is under execution with technical and financial
assistance from Government of Japan. The Project is passing
through the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Union Territory of
Dadra & Nagar Haveli with 12 stations planned at Mumbai, Thane,
Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand,
Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.
The Gujarat portion of the corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is
planned to be completed by Dec, 2027. The entire project
(Maharashtra to Sabarmati section) is expected to be completed by
Dec, 2029. However, Bullet train project is a very complex and
technology intensive Project. Exact timelines for the completion of
the project can be reasonably ascertained after the completion of
all associated works of Civil Structures, Track, Electrical, Signaling
& Telecommunication and supply of Trainsets.
Total estimated cost of MAHSR project is approximately Rs.
1,08,000 crores, out of which Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) is funding 81% of the project cost i.e. Rs. 88,000
crores. Balance 19% cost i.e. Rs. 20,000 crores will be funded
through equity contribution from Ministry of Railways (50%) and
State Governments of Maharashtra (25%) and Gujarat (25%).
Cumulative Financial expenditure of Rs. 78,839/- crore has been
incurred on the project till 30.06.2025.
Cont../--:2:-
The delay in land acquisition in the State of Maharashtra has
impacted the project till 2021. However, currently, entire land
(1389.5 Ha.) for MAHSR project has been acquired. The Final
Location Survey and Geotechnical investigation completed and
alignment finalized. All Statutory Clearances relating to wildlife,
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and Forest clearance have been
obtained. All the civil contracts of the project have been awarded.
Out of total 28 tender packages, 24 tender packages have been
awarded.
Till now, 392 km of pier construction, 329 km of Girder Casting
and 308 km of Girder launching have been completed. The work of
the under-sea tunnel (21Kms approx.) has also started.
In order to expand the HSR network in India beyond MAHSR
corridor and to meet the growing passenger demand between major
cities of commercial/economic and tourist importance, Detailed
Project Report (DPRs) are being prepared by National High Speed
Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).
HSR projects are highly capital intensive and any decision for taking
up new project is based on many factors such as technical
feasibility, financial & economic viability, traffic demand and
availability of funds & financing options etc.
Commercial operation of MAHSR Project involves an affordable fare-
structure for the services taking in to account the socio-economic
conditions of the clientele for optimum patronage of the HSR
sectors.
*****