Government Aims To Start Bullet Train On 15 August 2022 To Commemorate The 75th Year Of Independence

The Center on Monday (11 September) said that it has advanced the deadline for the completion of Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project by a year, adding that it plans to start the high-speed rail on 22 August 2022 to commemorate the 75th year of India's Independence, Times of India has reported.

Ahead of Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of the bullet train project, which will take place during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India this week, new Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the country's rail network would be transformed and revolutionised with the initiative.

Goyal, speaking on India's ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project, added that similar projects in Japan had not seen a single accident.

"It has been a zero accident train in Japan, and I am sure the track record will remain the same in India," Goyal said. "The coming of bullet trains to India will not only boost employment but also will help India to export it,” he added.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given directions for a holistic development of the Indian Railways," Goyal said, adding, India's transport sector is all set to change and "it is indeed a matter of celebration."

Abe will also be visiting India to attend the Bhoomi Poojan and foundation stone laying ceremony of the Rs. 97,636-crore Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail link, using Japanese bullet-train technology.

With Inputs from ANI