Modi, Abe Launch India’s 1st Bullet Train Project: Key Highlights

The Ahmedabad-Mumbai high-speed rail project will cost India Rs 1.08 lakh crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe laid the foundation stone of India’s first bullet train project in Ahmedabad on 14 September. Here are a few highlights:

• The ambitious Ahmedabad-Mumbai high-speed rail project will cost India Rs 1.08 lakh crore ($17 billion).
• Japan has loaned India a sum of Rs 88,000 crore at a rate of 0.1 percent interest for 50 years.
• The foundation-laying ceremony was held at the Athletic Stadium near the Sabarmati Railway Station.
• Accommodating 750 people, the bullet train is expected to reduce the travel time between the two cities from seven hours to roughly three hours.
• The project, which is expected to be commissioned by 2022, will have a dozen halts. A 21-km-long tunnel will be dug between Boisar and BKC in Mumbai, seven kilometres of which will be under the sea.
• At the event, Modi said, “India now has a friend who has loaned her Rs 88,000 crore at an interest of 0.1%.” He called the project a “big gift” from Japan to India.

Also Read: Ready for India’s First Bullet Train? Here Are its Top Features

Below are a few interesting facts about the train.

(With inputs from IANS)

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