Posted on November 30, 2023
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Wednesday that the first section of India’s bullet train, covering a 50km distance between Bilimora and Surat in Gujarat, is set to be completed by August 2026. This revelation is part of a comprehensive plan outlined by the minister to revamp the country’s rail network and services. During the announcement, Mr. Vaishnaw also highlighted the Kavach system, an indigenous warning system developed to prevent on-track collisions, particularly significant following a tragic incident in Odisha’s Balasore in June, resulting in the loss of nearly 300 lives.
In addition to the advancements in bullet train technology, the Railways Minister provided updates on the Gajraj system, designed to prevent collisions between trains and elephants, and emphasized the expansion of rail tracks to enhance connectivity across different regions of the country.
Mr. Vaishnaw reported an increase in the number of trains in India compared to pre-pandemic levels, with mail/express services rising from 1,768 to 2,124 and suburban services increasing from 5,626 to 5,774. The count of passenger trains also saw a rise from 2,792 to 2,856 during the same period.
Overall, the Railways served 640 crore passengers in the fiscal year 2022/23, with a target set for 750 crore passengers in 2023/24.
Regarding the larger Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, Mr. Vaishnaw’s recent statement builds upon last week’s update, highlighting a significant milestone achieved—completion of 100 km of viaducts and 230 km of pier work, with the Bilimora-Surat section being an integral part of this ambitious project.