DELHI (Metro Rail News): Union Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday informed the Lok Sabha about the Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor (MAHSR) project and said “The cost of MAHSR Project is Rs 1,08,000 crore as in 2015. Delay in land acquisition, especially in the State of Maharashtra and consequent delays in finalization of contracts as well as adverse impact of COVID-19 have delayed the execution of MAHSR Project.”
The rail minister also informed that about 1,248 hectares of land has been acquired out of total land requirement of 1,396 hectares so far, and said, “The anticipated increase in cost and time can be fully ascertained only after completion of land acquisition, finalisation of all contracts and associated timelines.”
Speaking about the current status of the high-speed rail project, he explained that all statutory clearances relating to wildlife, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), as well as, forest clearance have been obtained.
The Centre had sanctioned the first Bullet Train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in December, 2015 with technical and financial assistance from Government of Japan.
He also said that according to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Government of Japan will provide a loan of 81 per cent at the maximum of the project cost. “Finalization of actual cost and the quantum of loan shall be amended accordingly if required,” he added.
The minister said that In Maharashtra, 68.65 per cent out of total 297.81 hectares needed for the project has been acquired whereas in Gujarat, 98.76 per cent out of 954.28 hectares needed for the project has been acquired.
