<p>India’s first bullet train section, a 50-kilometre stretch connecting Bilimora and Surat cities in Gujarat, will be completed by August 2026, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday (Nov 29), as he announced the plans to overhaul the Indian railways network.</p>

<p>The remark follows an update provided by him last week where he announced that a significant step on the bullet train project had been achieved.</p>

<p>He had announced the completion of the 100 km of viaducts and 230 km of pier work for the bigger Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, of which the Bilimora-Surat portion is a part.</p>

<p>A viaduct is a long bridge-like structure supported by a series of arches or spans between tall towers that carry an elevated road or railway line. More than 90 per cent of the track of the 508km high-speed rail&nbsp;(HSR) corridor will be elevated.</p>

<h2><strong>Construction began in Nov 2021</strong></h2>

<p>The construction of the National High-Speed Railway corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad began in November 2021.</p>

<p>The Mumbai – Ahmedabad Bullet Train&nbsp;project will connect Maharashtra's Mumbai city, and Gujarat's Ahmedabad city through 12 stations at an estimated cost of US$15&nbsp;billion, of which&nbsp;the federal government will be providing Rs 100 million, while Gujarat and Maharashtra will contribute Rs 50 million.</p>

<p>The remaining funding will be secured through a 50-year US$12 billion&nbsp;loan from Japan at a minimal&nbsp;interest rate of 0.1 per cent, with repayments scheduled to start 15 years after the line becomes operational.</p>

<p>Though the project faced initial hiccups due to land acquisition issues, the project has been progressing smoothly and the first kilometre of the viaduct was built in six months, and the 50th by April this year.</p>

<h2><strong>Project going on smoothly despite hiccups</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Furthermore, bridges are being built over six rivers, the Par and Auranga in Valsad district, and the Purna, Mindhola, Ambika, and Venganiya in Navsari, as part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-votes-in-favour-of-unga-resolution-calls-on-israel-to-withdraw-from-syrias-golan-heights-664347">India votes in favour of UNGA resolution, calls on Israel to withdraw from Syria's Golan Heights</a></p>

<p>The project’s contract was awarded to the Indian multinational company Larsen and Toubro.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/students-in-jammu-and-kashmir-protest-against-online-post-on-prophet-mohammed-664275">Students in Jammu and Kashmir protest against online post on Prophet Mohammed</a></p>

<p>It is being built under the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM)—a well-established technique used in India for rail and road projects in several mountainous regions.</p>

<p>According to officials, trains on this corridor will reach speeds of up to 350 km per hour.</p>


India’s first bullet train section, a 50-kilometre stretch connecting Bilimora and Surat cities in Gujarat, will be completed by August 2026, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday (Nov 29), as he announced the plans to overhaul the Indian railways network.

India’s first bullet train section, a 50-kilometre stretch connecting Bilimora and Surat cities in Gujarat, will be completed by August 2026, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday (Nov 29), as he announced the plans to overhaul the Indian railways network. The remark follows an update provided by him last week where he announced that a significant step on the bullet train project had been achieved. He had announced the completion of the 100 km of viaducts and 230 km of pier work for the bigger Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, of which the Bilimora-Surat portion is a part. A viaduct is a long bridge-like structure supported by a series of arches or spans between tall towers that carry an elevated road or railway line. More than 90 per cent of the track of the 508km high-speed rail (HSR) corridor will be elevated. Construction began in Nov 2021 The construction of the National High-Speed Railway corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad began in November 2021. The Mumbai – Ahmedabad Bullet Train project will connect Maharashtra's Mumbai city, and Gujarat's Ahmedabad city through 12 stations at an estimated cost of US$15 billion, of which the federal government will be providing Rs 100 million, while Gujarat and Maharashtra will contribute Rs 50 million. The remaining funding will be secured through a 50-year US$12 billion loan from Japan at a minimal interest rate of 0.1 per cent, with repayments scheduled to start 15 years after the line becomes operational. Though the project faced initial hiccups due to land acquisition issues, the project has been progressing smoothly and the first kilometre of the viaduct was built in six months, and the 50th by April this year. Project going on smoothly despite hiccups Furthermore, bridges are being built over six rivers, the Par and Auranga in Valsad district, and the Purna, Mindhola, Ambika, and Venganiya in Navsari, as part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor. Also read | India votes in favour of UNGA resolution, calls on Israel to withdraw from Syria's Golan Heights The project’s contract was awarded to the Indian multinational company Larsen and Toubro. Also read | Students in Jammu and Kashmir protest against online post on Prophet Mohammed It is being built under the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM)—a well-established technique used in India for rail and road projects in several mountainous regions. According to officials, trains on this corridor will reach speeds of up to 350 km per hour.

Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw drops major update on India’s bullet train project

<p>Indian Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday, while speaking about the triple train tragedy which took place in Odisha's Balasore, said that the Railway Board has recommended a CBI probe into the accident.</p>

<p>“Taking into consideration the situation in which this accident took place, the Railway Board had recommended a CBI investigation into the matter,” the minister said.</p>

<p>He added, “Rescue was completed and restoration work is underway. Work-related to track is done and overhead wiring work is going on. Patients are being treated at hospitals.”</p>

<p>“The railways along with the state governments is trying to contact the families of the people who were involved in that unfortunate incident from different parts of the country,” the minister stated.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-coromandel-express-derails-near-bahanaga-station-in-odisha-several-injured-599787">&nbsp;Three-train crash in India's Balasore: PM Modi assures treatment of injured, says ‘guilty’ won’t be spared</a></p>

<h2><strong>Electronic interlocking cause of the accident: Minister</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier in the day, minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the tragic train accident occurred because of a "change in electronic interlocking".</p>

<p>Electronic interlocking is a set up of signal apparatus that avoids conflicting movements between running trains by an arrangement of tracks. Basically, it is a safety measure that stops signals from getting changed in improper sequence.</p>

<p>"This is a different issue. It is about a point machine, electronic interlocking. The change that occurred during electronic interlocking, the accident happened due to that. Whoever did it and how it happened will be found out after proper investigation,” the minister stated.</p>

<p>He added that the officials are carrying out restoration work and normalcy is expected to be restored before Wednesday morning.</p>

<p>"The commissioner of railway safety has investigated the matter and it won't be right for me to comment on that. Let the investigation report come. But the cause of the accident has been identified and the people responsible for it have been identified. Right now our focus is on restoration. There are two main lines and two loop lines. The work is underway and we will definitely complete restoration well before our target of Wednesday morning," Vaishnaw stated.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;India train crash: More than 280 dead after Odisha accident</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>'Nothing to do with Kavach'</strong></h2>

<p>The railway minister further refuted the allegations made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that Kavach (anti-collision system) device would have averted the accident.</p>

<p>"It has nothing to do with Kavach. The reason is not what Mamata Banerjee said yesterday. She said as per understanding," the minister added.</p>

<p>The train accident, which involved Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, which were carrying around 2,500 passengers, and a goods train, took place on Friday near the Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore. At least 275 people have lost their lives in the accident and over 1,175 were injured.&nbsp;</p>

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Indian Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday, while speaking about the triple train tragedy which took place in Odisha's Balasore, said that the Railway Board has recommended a CBI probe into the accident.

Indian Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday, while speaking about the triple train tragedy which took place in Odisha's Balasore, said that the Railway Board has recommended a CBI probe into the accident. “Taking into consideration the situation in which this accident took place, the Railway Board had recommended a CBI investigation into the matter,” the minister said. He added, “Rescue was completed and restoration work is underway. Work-related to track is done and overhead wiring work is going on. Patients are being treated at hospitals.” “The railways along with the state governments is trying to contact the families of the people who were involved in that unfortunate incident from different parts of the country,” the minister stated. ALSO READ | Three-train crash in India's Balasore: PM Modi assures treatment of injured, says ‘guilty’ won’t be spared Electronic interlocking cause of the accident: Minister Earlier in the day, minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the tragic train accident occurred because of a "change in electronic interlocking". Electronic interlocking is a set up of signal apparatus that avoids conflicting movements between running trains by an arrangement of tracks. Basically, it is a safety measure that stops signals from getting changed in improper sequence. "This is a different issue. It is about a point machine, electronic interlocking. The change that occurred during electronic interlocking, the accident happened due to that. Whoever did it and how it happened will be found out after proper investigation,” the minister stated. He added that the officials are carrying out restoration work and normalcy is expected to be restored before Wednesday morning. "The commissioner of railway safety has investigated the matter and it won't be right for me to comment on that. Let the investigation report come. But the cause of the accident has been identified and the people responsible for it have been identified. Right now our focus is on restoration. There are two main lines and two loop lines. The work is underway and we will definitely complete restoration well before our target of Wednesday morning," Vaishnaw stated. WATCH | India train crash: More than 280 dead after Odisha accident 'Nothing to do with Kavach' The railway minister further refuted the allegations made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that Kavach (anti-collision system) device would have averted the accident. "It has nothing to do with Kavach. The reason is not what Mamata Banerjee said yesterday. She said as per understanding," the minister added. The train accident, which involved Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, which were carrying around 2,500 passengers, and a goods train, took place on Friday near the Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore. At least 275 people have lost their lives in the accident and over 1,175 were injured. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India train tragedy: Railway Board recommends CBI probe, announces railway minister

<p>Mukul Roy, India’s former railways' minister and senior member of Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) in West Bengal, has gone missing, his family members have claimed.</p>

<p>Roy’s son Subhragshu told PTI news agency that his father was "untraceable" and "missing" since late Monday evening.</p>

<p>"Till now I am unable to contact my father. He is untraceable," Subhragshu, a TMC leader, said.</p>

<p>Subhargshu said that his father left for Delhi on Monday evening on an Indigo flight. He was supposed to land at 9.55 pm (local time) in Delhi that day. But, since then, the veteran leader could not be traced.</p>

<p>On Monday night, Roy's son lodged a missing complaint at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport Police Station.</p>

<p>Roy, considered to be the number two in the TMC leadership, had joined Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2017 following differences with the party leadership.</p>

<p>He was made BJP national vice-president. Roy was influential in helping BJP win 18 of the state’s total 42 seats during the general elections in 2019 when he was in the saffron party fold.</p>

<p>After winning the 2021 assembly polls on a BJP ticket, Roy returned to the TMC fold. During the polls, Roy contested from the Krishnanagar Uttar Assembly seat in Nadia district. He managed to win but the BJP lost the polls.</p>

<p>Currently a West Bengal MLA, Roy previously served as the Union Railway Minister and a Minister of State in the Shipping Ministry during the Congress government in 2015.</p>

<p>Prior to the creation of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Roy was a member of the Indian National Congress party.</p>

<p>Ever since his return to the Mamata Banerjee-led party, he has been keeping a low profile.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>

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Mukul Roy, India’s former railways' minister and senior member of Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) in West Bengal, has gone missing, his family members have claimed.

Mukul Roy, India’s former railways' minister and senior member of Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) in West Bengal, has gone missing, his family members have claimed. Roy’s son Subhragshu told PTI news agency that his father was "untraceable" and "missing" since late Monday evening. "Till now I am unable to contact my father. He is untraceable," Subhragshu, a TMC leader, said. Subhargshu said that his father left for Delhi on Monday evening on an Indigo flight. He was supposed to land at 9.55 pm (local time) in Delhi that day. But, since then, the veteran leader could not be traced. On Monday night, Roy's son lodged a missing complaint at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport Police Station. Roy, considered to be the number two in the TMC leadership, had joined Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2017 following differences with the party leadership. He was made BJP national vice-president. Roy was influential in helping BJP win 18 of the state’s total 42 seats during the general elections in 2019 when he was in the saffron party fold. After winning the 2021 assembly polls on a BJP ticket, Roy returned to the TMC fold. During the polls, Roy contested from the Krishnanagar Uttar Assembly seat in Nadia district. He managed to win but the BJP lost the polls. Currently a West Bengal MLA, Roy previously served as the Union Railway Minister and a Minister of State in the Shipping Ministry during the Congress government in 2015. Prior to the creation of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Roy was a member of the Indian National Congress party. Ever since his return to the Mamata Banerjee-led party, he has been keeping a low profile. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India's former railway minister Mukul Roy ‘missing’, says son

<p>Union Railways Minister, Piyush Goyal, told reporters that Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) is planning to explore new &quot;lines of businesses&quot; and will ensure better applicability of its Minimum Alternate Tax.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Have aggressive plans to monetize some assets of Indian Railways, planning to change some existing guidelines on monetizing land&amp;station assets.We are also contemplating to increase lease period from 45 yrs to 99 yrs&amp;allowing participants to have multiple leases: Railway Minister <a href="https://t.co/R27rPm3Hu4">pic.twitter.com/R27rPm3Hu4</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/952147328533635072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Minimum Alternate Tax will enable better valuation of IRFC, the minister noted in Mumbai today.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) in the days to come is going to expand its footprint into the newer lines of business &amp; will be able to use its Minimum Alternate Tax better because of which valuation of IRFC can be much better: Piyush Goyal, Railway Minister in Mumbai <a href="https://t.co/SZglntLBbA">pic.twitter.com/SZglntLBbA</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/952149229325004801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Mr Goyal also shared the ministry&#39;s plans &quot;to monetize some assets of Indian Railways&quot; and other plans to change some of the existing guidelines on land and station assets monetization.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are trying to set up 20 lakh CCTV cameras in the entire Indian Railway network, particularly the passenger coaches: <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PiyushGoyal</a></p>
&mdash; Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyalOffc/status/952151606585364480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;We are also contemplating to increase lease period from 45 yrs to 99 years with an aim to allow participants to have multiple leases,&quot; he shared.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">IRFC has been playing an improtant role in the activities of Indian Railways. It&#39;s one of the major financing arms which helps us to bring in investments required for the railways: <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PiyushGoyal</a></p>
&mdash; Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) <a href="https://twitter.com/PiyushGoyalOffc/status/952128798878781440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Chairman of Railway Board Ashwani Lohani visited Mumbai to discuss new projects with rail planners.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Mr Goyal also shared the ministry's plans 'to monetize some assets of Indian Railways'

Union Railways Minister, Piyush Goyal, told reporters that Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) is planning to explore new "lines of businesses" and will ensure better applicability of its Minimum Alternate Tax. Have aggressive plans to monetize some assets of Indian Railways, planning to change some existing guidelines on monetizing land&station assets.We are also contemplating to increase lease period from 45 yrs to 99 yrs&allowing participants to have multiple leases: Railway Minister pic.twitter.com/R27rPm3Hu4 — ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2018 × Minimum Alternate Tax will enable better valuation of IRFC, the minister noted in Mumbai today. Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) in the days to come is going to expand its footprint into the newer lines of business & will be able to use its Minimum Alternate Tax better because of which valuation of IRFC can be much better: Piyush Goyal, Railway Minister in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/SZglntLBbA — ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2018 × Mr Goyal also shared the ministry's plans "to monetize some assets of Indian Railways" and other plans to change some of the existing guidelines on land and station assets monetization. We are trying to set up 20 lakh CCTV cameras in the entire Indian Railway network, particularly the passenger coaches: @PiyushGoyal — Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) January 13, 2018 × "We are also contemplating to increase lease period from 45 yrs to 99 years with an aim to allow participants to have multiple leases," he shared. IRFC has been playing an improtant role in the activities of Indian Railways. It's one of the major financing arms which helps us to bring in investments required for the railways: @PiyushGoyal — Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) January 13, 2018 × Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Chairman of Railway Board Ashwani Lohani visited Mumbai to discuss new projects with rail planners. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Railways Finance Corporation to explore new 'lines of businesses': Railways Minister Piyush Goyal