India is currently undergoing a major shift in transportation infrastructure as the country is undertaking a number of high-speed rail projects. According to a statement by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the survey and preparation of detailed project reports for seven high-speed rail corridors has been undertaken.
At present, the only sanctioned high-speed rail project in India is the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, which is being implemented with technical and financial assistance from the Government of Japan. However, the Indian government has undertaken survey and preparation of detailed project reports for seven high-speed rail corridors. These corridors include Delhi-Varanasi, Delhi-Ahmedabad, Mumbai-Nagpur, Mumbai-Hyderabad, Chennai-Bangalore-Mysore, Delhi-Chandigarh-Amritsar, and Varanasi-Howrah.
In addition to high-speed rail projects, the Indian government has also given “in-principle” approval for pre-investment activity for two semi-high-speed rail projects. These include the Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod Semi High-Speed Rail (SilverLine) project on Standard Gauge, and the Pune-Nasik Semi High-Speed Rail Project on Broad Gauge Line. Both of these projects will be executed by joint venture companies named Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) and Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (MRIDC) of the state governments of Kerala and Maharashtra, respectively.
The Indian government’s ambitious transportation infrastructure plan aims to significantly reduce travel time between cities and improve connectivity across the country. The high-speed rail projects are expected to benefit the economy by boosting economic growth, creating job opportunities, and facilitating seamless movement of goods and people. Additionally, these projects will help reduce carbon emissions and make India a more environmentally sustainable country.
In conclusion, the Indian government is investing heavily in high-speed rail projects, with seven corridors currently under development and two semi-high-speed rail projects receiving “in-principle” approval for pre-investment activity. These projects have the potential to transform transportation infrastructure in India, promoting economic growth and sustainability while improving connectivity and reducing travel time between cities.