NEW DELHI: Now it’s official that railways will run B28, the bullet train being manufactured in India, on the first stretch of Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project that is scheduled to be operational in Aug 2027. The railway ministry informed a parliamentary panel that the national transporter has decided to start the operation on the Surat to Vapi (97 km) section of the corridor using the trainset being manufactured by BEML.The report of parliamentary standing committee on railways, which was tabled in both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, mentioned that when it inquired about the updated completion timeline of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project the ministry said, “Bullet train project is a very complex and technology intensive project. The project involves technology transfer and procurement/ supply from Japan and other countries. The development of the E10 series of Shinkansen is under way in Japan; therefore, detailed information regarding the same is not available. However, a decision has been taken to start the operation using B28 (Bharat made bullet trainset).”The ministry also informed the panel that tenders for alternative signalling systems (based on ETCS L2) have been awarded and work has commenced. It added that manufacturing of B28 is currently underway at BEML. The ministry said anticipated timelines for the commencement of the project can be ascertained after the completion of all associated works of civil structures, track, electrical, signalling and telecommunication and supply of trainsets.“However, efforts are underway to start ops using B28 (Bharat made bullet, 280 kmph) for Surat-Vapi (97km) in Aug 2027,” the report said.Regarding the anticipated cost escalation, major contributing factors and the specific measures being undertaken to prevent cost overruns, the ministry informed the panel that the original estimated cost of the project was Rs 97,636 crore in Dec 2015 and this was based on the feasibility report. Construction was initially planned partly on viaduct and mostly on embankment.The ministry told the committee that there has been cost escalation due to factors that were not considered in the feasibility report – taxes and cess (Rs 29,330 crore), utility shifting (Rs 2,625 crore), station approach development (Rs 2,195 crore), power sourcing arrangement (Rs 1,250 crore), indigenous trains and ETCS signalling system (Rs 16,500 crore), ticketing (Rs 283 crore) and statutory charges owing to forest clearances (Rs 400 crore).“In addition the escalation due to the rise in economic factors of production (inflation and price rise) is Rs 19,084 crore as the project was sanctioned in the year 2015. The substantial increase in land rates particularly in urban areas including cost of land at Mumbai, has led to the increase in the land, resettlement and rehabilitation cost to Rs 16,695 crore. The revised cost estimate for the project of Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Line is under sanction,” the ministry said.
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