Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train tickets to cost between Rs. 250-3,000
What's the story
Tickets of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train would likely cost passengers between Rs. 250-3,000. People will be able to commute between Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Thane in just Rs. 250. A Mumbai-Ahmedabad trip meanwhile would cost Rs. 3,000, reported PTI. Achal Khare, National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd's Managing Director, claims the ticket rates are based on current projections/calculations. Here's more.
Information
Devendra Fadnavis had promised 'competitively priced' tickets
Notably, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had told the state legislative council last month that the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train tickets would be competitively priced much like other trains of Indian Railways, making it a viable mode of transport for every Indian.
Details
'More affordable, less time consuming than a flight'
Travelling between Thane and BKC by taxi usually takes 1-1.5 hours and Rs. 650. However, with the bullet train, it will take only 15 minutes and cost just Rs. 250. "The journey will be much more affordable and less time consuming than in a flight, if the trip to the airport, getting boarding passes and security checks are taken into consideration," Khare told reporters.
Salient features
More about India's first bullet train
-It will have nine regular coaches and one business-class coach, which will have complimentary food. -Its fares are likely to be 1.5 times higher than AC first class trains and the delays would not be more than 40 seconds. -It will run about 500km between Mumbai and Ahmedabad at a top speed of 320 km/h. -It should start operations by 2022.
The project
It will directly employ 3,000-4,000 workers
According to Khare, the project would begin work from this December. By then, the process of land acquisition for stations should get over. The government needs 1,415 hectare land for the project and has allocated Rs. 10,000 crore for its acquisition. The project will directly employ 3,000-4,000 workers. An engagement of another 30,000-40,000 people is expected during the construction phase.
Rumors
On Japan's participation
Dismissing reports of a higher Japanese participation in the project than India, Khare claimed only 18.6% Japanese components would be used and that too for limited portions like the construction of Ahmedabad-Vadodara corridor and the under-sea tunnel. "Indian contractors would build 460km, while Japan would be involved in the construction of only 21km under sea," he told PTI.
Information
Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Station to be themed on Gandhi's Dandi March
Meanwhile, Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March would be the theme of Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Station, the last on the high-speed rail corridor. It's the first station of the bullet train to get a design approved by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd.