The country’s first bullet train project was flagged off by Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in Ahmedabad today. At the launch, Modi pitched for the need of an integrated transport system in India. He thanked Abe for the “big gift” of bullet trains to India, and for showing “personal interest” in making the project a reality.
Abe arrived in Ahmedabad on Wednesday for a two-day visit. Modi, breaking protocol, received the Japanese Prime Minister at the airport. Yesterday’s agenda included an 8-km mega roadshow, visit to Sabarmati Ashram and Sidi Saiyyed Ki Jaali mosque.
Catch all the live updates with The Quint.
- PM Modi and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe lay the foundation stone for the bullet train in Ahmedabad
- Japan has loaned Rs 88,000 crore at an interest rate of 0.1% for 50 years to India
- Abe arrived in Ahmadabad on Wednesday for 12th India-Japan Annual Summit
- The summit takes place amid rising tension in the Far East
- 15 agreements are expected to be signed between Japanese firms and GIDC
'Election Bullet Train' Launched by Modi to Ride out Gujarat Polls: Cong
The Congress dubbed the Ahmedabad-Mumbai high-speed express an "election bullet train" and said its launch was timed keeping in mind the upcoming Gujarat Assembly polls.
The opposition party said the foundation stone laying followed a set pattern of announcing packages and big-ticket projects by the Modi government ahead of every state election.
It accused the Modi government of “completely abdicating its responsibility” towards safety of passengers, while focussing on this one project.
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also charged Prime Minister Narendra Modi with delaying the project, conceived by the erstwhile UPA government, for three-and-a-half years, thus making it "economically unviable".
Congress spokesperson RPN Singh alleged that the BJP government was ignoring railway safety, even though 259 passengers have been killed and 973 injured in 29 major railway accidents since the Modi dispensation assumed office.
Modi, Abe at India-Japan Annual Summit
PM Modi and Japan's PM Shinzo Abe at India-Japan Annual Summit.
When I first visited Japan as the CM of Gujarat, I had said that I want to see a mini Japan in Gujarat. Today that dream has come true... Four locations have been finalised for development of Japanese Industrial Townships in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu...Gujarat’s Industry and Government still cherish the fact that Japan became 1st partner country in Vibrant Gujarat event.PM Modi
Open Sky Agreement Signed
India and Japan signed an agreement under which their airlines can operate an unlimited number of flights between the two countries.
The pact is as per National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016, which permits the government to enter into an ‘open sky’ air services agreement on a reciprocal basis with SAARC nations as well as countries with territory located entirely beyond a 5,000 kilometre radius from New Delhi.
Last year India signed an open sky agreement with Greece, Jamaica, Guyana, Czech Republic, Finland, Spain and Sri Lanka.
India also signed a bilateral open sky agreement with the US in 2005.
Farmers Protest Fearing Land Acquisition
A group of farmers from Boisar in Palghar district protested against the bullet train project fearing acquisition of their lands.
The farmers, who held the demonstration outside Boisar railway station, said they will be ruined if their agricultural lands are acquired for the project.
During the protest, which was jointly organised by Shetkari Sangarsha Samiti and Advasi Ekta Parisahd, the protesters waved black flags and raised slogans against the project.
Kaluram Dodhade of Bhoomi Sena, who took part in the protest, said:
There are mostly small farmers in Palghar and if their lands are acquired for the project, they will be ruined.
The protesters also alleged that the BJP-led government was going ahead with the project without taking the farmers into consideration.
Palghar DSP Majunath Shinge said, "It was a symbolic protest and there was no law and order situation." When contacted, Palghar district collector Prashant Narnavre said the agitation was carried out peaceful.