The government will begin work on the 508-km Ahmedabad-Mumbai high-speed train, modelled on famed Shinkansen or bullet train, with ground breaking in 2017, followed by the construction of the super structure. The viability of the project will also depend on passenger fare, footfall and last-mile connectivity at both ends. The “Future of High Speed Rail in India” was discussed here under the aegis of International High Speed Rail Association (IHRA) Forum last week with participants from over 22 countries, including India. At the forum, organised by chairman Masafumi Shakuri, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia talked about the need for semi-high speed rail to co-exist with the bullet train technologies given the latter’s requirements for dedicated corridors and higher passenger fares. Shaurya Doval, director, India Foundation, said India was ready for foreign investment in latest rail technologies so long as fares were competitive.

Source: Hindustan Times November 25, 2016 05:49 UTC