The government has announced the timeline for the launch of India's first bullet train, with testing expected to begin by May or June next year. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the train will undergo testing for two to four months before the Prime Minister inaugurates it.&nbsp;Speaking at the ‘NaMo for Viksit Bharat’ event in Vadodara on Tuesday, Vaishnaw said the first body frame of the bullet train had recently been completed and sent for a squeeze test.&nbsp;“By May or June of next year, India’s own bullet train will be on the tracks for testing. After a testing period of 2-4 months, the bullet train will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister himself,” Vaishnaw said.&nbsp;The minister said the project reflects the government's vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. He also highlighted the travel time that the train will offer between Vadodara and Mumbai.&nbsp;“When you ride the bullet train from Vadodara, you will reach Mumbai in just an hour and a half,” the minister said.&nbsp;India officially began work on its first bullet train project in September 2017, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe laid the foundation stone for the Mumbai Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor in Ahmedabad.&nbsp;Vaishnaw also said construction work on the project was moving rapidly. He added that work on the Surat-Vapi section is expected to finish by December this year.&nbsp;The minister also spoke about the government's efforts to modernise Indian Railways. He said the changes cover operating systems, reservation systems and construction practices.&nbsp;“We are reforming and modernising everything--from operating systems and reservation systems to old construction protocols,” he said.&nbsp;Vaishnaw also pointed to new wagon designs being developed for freight operations. These include a special design for transporting salt.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-security-scare-fake-pmo-official-detained-at-nmacc-ahead-of-pm-modi-event-gun-recovered-1788867039783">Mumbai security scare: Fake PMO official detained at NMACC ahead of PM Modi event, gun recovered</a>&nbsp;<h3>Railway projects and modernisation</h3>The minister highlighted several long-pending railway projects that have now been completed. He specifically mentioned the Chenab Bridge and the project connecting Mizoram with the railway network.&nbsp;He said the government had redeveloped 280 railway stations and developed 36,000 km of new tracks. Vaishnaw also said cargo trains using Vande Bharat technology were being completed.&nbsp;According to the minister, railway development has accelerated despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the first section of the project was completed in 2020, after which work on the remaining sections gained pace.&nbsp;“The modern face of Indian Railways that is emerging will benefit many future generations,” Vaishnaw said.

India's first bullet train is set to begin testing by May-June 2027, with commercial operations expected by the end of the year after a two-to four month trial period.

The government has announced the timeline for the launch of India's first bullet train, with testing expected to begin by May or June next year. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the train will undergo testing for two to four months before the Prime Minister inaugurates it. Speaking at the ‘NaMo for Viksit Bharat’ event in Vadodara on Tuesday, Vaishnaw said the first body frame of the bullet train had recently been completed and sent for a squeeze test. “By May or June of next year, India’s own bullet train will be on the tracks for testing. After a testing period of 2-4 months, the bullet train will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister himself,” Vaishnaw said. The minister said the project reflects the government's vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. He also highlighted the travel time that the train will offer between Vadodara and Mumbai. “When you ride the bullet train from Vadodara, you will reach Mumbai in just an hour and a half,” the minister said. India officially began work on its first bullet train project in September 2017, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe laid the foundation stone for the Mumbai Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor in Ahmedabad. Vaishnaw also said construction work on the project was moving rapidly. He added that work on the Surat-Vapi section is expected to finish by December this year. The minister also spoke about the government's efforts to modernise Indian Railways. He said the changes cover operating systems, reservation systems and construction practices. “We are reforming and modernising everything--from operating systems and reservation systems to old construction protocols,” he said. Vaishnaw also pointed to new wagon designs being developed for freight operations. These include a special design for transporting salt. Also Read: Mumbai security scare: Fake PMO official detained at NMACC ahead of PM Modi event, gun recovered Railway projects and modernisation The minister highlighted several long-pending railway projects that have now been completed. He specifically mentioned the Chenab Bridge and the project connecting Mizoram with the railway network. He said the government had redeveloped 280 railway stations and developed 36,000 km of new tracks. Vaishnaw also said cargo trains using Vande Bharat technology were being completed. According to the minister, railway development has accelerated despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the first section of the project was completed in 2020, after which work on the remaining sections gained pace. “The modern face of Indian Railways that is emerging will benefit many future generations,” Vaishnaw said.

India's first bullet train is set to begin testing by May-June 2027, with commercial operations expected by the end of the year after a two-to four-month trial period.

Bullet train timeline revealed: Testing by May-June 2027, commercial run by year-end

Former Japanese Justice Minister Hideki Makihara has blamed the Indian government and officials for the delay in the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, which is being executed in collaboration with Japan. Makihara accused the Indian side of "sheer recklessness", repeating "over and over" and walking back on commitments by pursuing its "own self-interest right up to the very end."&nbsp;&nbsp;“For the honour of all Japanese folks who poured their hearts into this, I have to say it: I feel 100 per cent that the reason this hasn’t moved forward is entirely the Indian side,” Makihara wrote in a post on X on Wednesday.&nbsp;The former minister also singled out the minister in charge, calling him “especially awful”, and added, “if the top guy’s like that, there’s no way to have any decent dealings”.&nbsp;Makihara made the remarks in response to an opinion piece in a Japanese news outlet, which claimed that the "Indian Shinkansen" project had diverged significantly from its original proposal, including the use of a different signalling system that excluded Japan.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-nitish-kaushal-fbi-nabs-alleged-bhagwanpuria-gang-operative-after-placing-him-on-most-wanted-list-1784295321472">Who is Nitish Kaushal? FBI nabs alleged Bhagwanpuria gang operative after placing him on Most Wanted list</a><h2>MEA rejects allegations</h2>The Ministry of External Affairs rejected Makihara's claims on Friday, describing them as an “individual opinion” that was at “considerable variance with facts”.&nbsp;"We have seen the post. This is an individual opinion and is at considerable variance with facts. India-Japan discussions on Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR are progressing well," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press briefing.&nbsp;Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that India will begin operations on the first phase of its maiden bullet train service from August 15, 2027. He said the high-speed rail corridor will open in phases, beginning with the Surat-Bilimora section.&nbsp;Responding to questions about Makihara's remarks, Jaiswal said, "We have seen the post that has been referred to. It is an individual opinion and at considerable variance with facts. Japan will provide E10 series trains, but only in the early 2030s. The train in question is still under development. Meanwhile, construction work has rapidly progressed. The first section will be opened in 2027 itself. Therefore, both sides agreed to start the operations with the Indian high-speed train."&nbsp;"The signalling equipment has been ordered accordingly and is in line with international specifications. No Japanese offer was received in this context. The project execution is in line with the common goal of starting the high-speed train project at the earliest," he added.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Congress MP Pawan Khera cited the former Japanese minister's post to criticise the government, calling it “another feather in PM Modi and the Reel Minister’s cap”. He accused the government of handling the project in “such a disgraceful way that the government’s incompetence is now being criticised even by foreign officials”.&nbsp;Spanning 508 kilometres across 10 cities, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his then Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in 2017. The project, which is being funded 81 per cent by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), was originally scheduled for completion in 2023 but has since faced repeated delays and cost overruns.

Former Japanese Justice Minister Hideki Makihara blamed the Indian government for delays in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, accusing it of pursuing its own self-interest to the very end, but India dismissed his remarks as an individual opinion that was at variance with the facts.

Former Japanese Justice Minister Hideki Makihara has blamed the Indian government and officials for the delay in the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, which is being executed in collaboration with Japan. Makihara accused the Indian side of "sheer recklessness", repeating "over and over" and walking back on commitments by pursuing its "own self-interest right up to the very end." “For the honour of all Japanese folks who poured their hearts into this, I have to say it: I feel 100 per cent that the reason this hasn’t moved forward is entirely the Indian side,” Makihara wrote in a post on X on Wednesday. The former minister also singled out the minister in charge, calling him “especially awful”, and added, “if the top guy’s like that, there’s no way to have any decent dealings”. Makihara made the remarks in response to an opinion piece in a Japanese news outlet, which claimed that the "Indian Shinkansen" project had diverged significantly from its original proposal, including the use of a different signalling system that excluded Japan. Also Read: Who is Nitish Kaushal? FBI nabs alleged Bhagwanpuria gang operative after placing him on Most Wanted list MEA rejects allegations The Ministry of External Affairs rejected Makihara's claims on Friday, describing them as an “individual opinion” that was at “considerable variance with facts”. "We have seen the post. This is an individual opinion and is at considerable variance with facts. India-Japan discussions on Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR are progressing well," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press briefing. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that India will begin operations on the first phase of its maiden bullet train service from August 15, 2027. He said the high-speed rail corridor will open in phases, beginning with the Surat-Bilimora section. Responding to questions about Makihara's remarks, Jaiswal said, "We have seen the post that has been referred to. It is an individual opinion and at considerable variance with facts. Japan will provide E10 series trains, but only in the early 2030s. The train in question is still under development. Meanwhile, construction work has rapidly progressed. The first section will be opened in 2027 itself. Therefore, both sides agreed to start the operations with the Indian high-speed train." "The signalling equipment has been ordered accordingly and is in line with international specifications. No Japanese offer was received in this context. The project execution is in line with the common goal of starting the high-speed train project at the earliest," he added. Meanwhile, Congress MP Pawan Khera cited the former Japanese minister's post to criticise the government, calling it “another feather in PM Modi and the Reel Minister’s cap”. He accused the government of handling the project in “such a disgraceful way that the government’s incompetence is now being criticised even by foreign officials”. Spanning 508 kilometres across 10 cities, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his then Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in 2017. The project, which is being funded 81 per cent by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), was originally scheduled for completion in 2023 but has since faced repeated delays and cost overruns.

Former Japanese Justice Minister Hideki Makihara blamed the Indian government for delays in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, accusing it of pursuing its own self-interest to the very end, but India dismissed his remarks as an individual opinion that was at variance with the facts.

Japan ex-minister blames Indian govt for bullet train delays; India hits back

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today acknowledged <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-us-japan-set-for-malabar-naval-drill-in-bay-of-bengal-china-deploys-surveillance-ship-17774">India and Japan&#39;s military cooperation citing the Malabar</a> military exercise undertaken by the two countries including the US in July.

PM Abe in the joint statement said: &quot;It (joint naval exercise in Malabar) will further deepen cooperation between India, Japan, and the US.&quot;&nbsp;

He further added that &quot;India, Japan, and the US conducted joint maritime exercise Malabar for the first time, based on strong ties of trust between PM Modi and President Trump&quot;.&nbsp;

PM Modi<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-ahmedabad-to-mumbai-bullet-train-route-20170"> </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-ahmedabad-to-mumbai-bullet-train-route-20170">emphasised</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-ahmedabad-to-mumbai-bullet-train-route-20170"> on employing Japanese technology </a>to help India grow economically. &nbsp;

&quot;I urge Japanese business community to open a maximum number of Japanese restaurant chains in India,&quot; Modi said. 
 
Here is a look at the two countries and their military and economic alliance.&nbsp; 
 
Indian and Japan: Military ties 
 
The two nations have a history of close military ties. They have a&nbsp;common motive of maintaining security in sea-lanes in the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean region.

The two countries often hold cumulated military exercises and co-operate on technology.&nbsp;India and Japan concluded a security pact in 2008.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who is frequently termed as an &quot;Indophile&quot; is taking closer security cooperation measures with India, in response to the rising tensions in territorial disputes with Japan&#39;s neighbour North Korea.

In July 2017, the Indian Navy took part in a week-long military drill&nbsp;with the Japanese and US navies called the Malabar naval exercise, realigning their common vision on the Indo-Pacific maritime security apparatus.

The move&nbsp;came amid&nbsp;the standoff between India-China over the Doklam issue&nbsp;and Japan&#39;s growing anxiety over North Korea&#39;s missile tests.

Indo-Japan ties turned into a &quot;substantial&quot;&nbsp;friendship on July 20 last year&nbsp;with the signing&nbsp;of the India-Japan civil nuclear agreement. The pact was signed in 2016&nbsp;during PM Modi&#39;s three-day visit to Japan.

This was the first time that Japan had signed a&nbsp;deal with a non-signatory of Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Indian and Japan: Economic ties

The agreement between India and Japan to build a bullet train between Ahmedabad and Mumbai using Japan&#39;s Shinkansen technology was signed in December 2015.

The two nations are also working on Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC), which was unveiled on May 23, 2017.&nbsp;Japan also&nbsp;provided assistance and know-how for the first phase of Delhi Metro.

The Japanese are also involved in other mega infrastructure projects, such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor started a decade ago.&nbsp;Over the last fifteen&nbsp;years, investments from Japan have played a symbolic part in India&rsquo;s progress.

Over a span of seventeen years, beginning 2000, Japan has invested more than $25 billion across various sectors in India.&nbsp;Japan is among the top four largest investors in India, and investment from Japan increased substantially during 2016-17.

Japan invested 4.7 billion in 2016, which is 80 per cent higher than 2015-2016.

In fact, Japan has promised to invest roughly $35 billion for the period between 2014-19 to boost India&rsquo;s manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.

 
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The Japanese government even specially employed Mizuho Financial Group for discovering investment opportunities in India

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today acknowledged India and Japan's military cooperation citing the Malabar military exercise undertaken by the two countries including the US in July. PM Abe in the joint statement said: "It (joint naval exercise in Malabar) will further deepen cooperation between India, Japan, and the US." He further added that "India, Japan, and the US conducted joint maritime exercise Malabar for the first time, based on strong ties of trust between PM Modi and President Trump". PM Modi emphasised on employing Japanese technology to help India grow economically. "I urge Japanese business community to open a maximum number of Japanese restaurant chains in India," Modi said. Here is a look at the two countries and their military and economic alliance. Indian and Japan: Military ties The two nations have a history of close military ties. They have a common motive of maintaining security in sea-lanes in the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean region. The two countries often hold cumulated military exercises and co-operate on technology. India and Japan concluded a security pact in 2008. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who is frequently termed as an "Indophile" is taking closer security cooperation measures with India, in response to the rising tensions in territorial disputes with Japan's neighbour North Korea. In July 2017, the Indian Navy took part in a week-long military drill with the Japanese and US navies called the Malabar naval exercise, realigning their common vision on the Indo-Pacific maritime security apparatus. The move came amid the standoff between India-China over the Doklam issue and Japan's growing anxiety over North Korea's missile tests. Indo-Japan ties turned into a "substantial" friendship on July 20 last year with the signing of the India-Japan civil nuclear agreement. The pact was signed in 2016 during PM Modi's three-day visit to Japan. This was the first time that Japan had signed a deal with a non-signatory of Non-Proliferation Treaty. Indian and Japan: Economic ties The agreement between India and Japan to build a bullet train between Ahmedabad and Mumbai using Japan's Shinkansen technology was signed in December 2015. The two nations are also working on Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC), which was unveiled on May 23, 2017. Japan also provided assistance and know-how for the first phase of Delhi Metro. The Japanese are also involved in other mega infrastructure projects, such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor started a decade ago. Over the last fifteen years, investments from Japan have played a symbolic part in India’s progress. Over a span of seventeen years, beginning 2000, Japan has invested more than $25 billion across various sectors in India. Japan is among the top four largest investors in India, and investment from Japan increased substantially during 2016-17. Japan invested 4.7 billion in 2016, which is 80 per cent higher than 2015-2016. In fact, Japan has promised to invest roughly $35 billion for the period between 2014-19 to boost India’s manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.

Joint naval exercise in Malabar will further deepen cooperation between India, Japan & US: PM Abe