HSR Update: MoR to undertake survey and preparation of DPR for 7 High Speed Rail Corridors

 Presently, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail is the only sanctioned High Speed Rail project in the Country being executed with technical & financial assistance of Government of Japan.

  • The current status of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project is as under:
    • All Statutory Clearances relating to wildlife, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and Forest clearance have been obtained.
    • Out of total land requirement of approx. 1396 ha., about 1193 ha. Land has been acquired.
    • The entire project has been divided into 27 Contract packages. 
    • At present, 12 packages have been awarded, 3 are under evaluation and Tenders have been invited for 4 packages.
    • Out of a total 352 KM length in Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli (DNH), civil works in 342 KM length have started.
  • The anticipated cost increase and timeline can be fully ascertained only after completion of land acquisition and finalisation of all contracts.
  • Further, the Ministry of Railways (MoR) has decided to undertake survey and prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for seven High Speed Rail Corridors as under:
    • Delhi – Varanasi.
    • Delhi – Amritsar.
    • Delhi – Ahmedabad.
    • Mumbai – Nagpur.
    • Mumbai – Hyderabad.
    • Chennai – Bangalore – Mysore.
    • Varanasi – Howrah.

This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on 11th February 2022.

About MAHSR Project:

  • Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project is 508 Km long first High- Speed Rail (HSR) network planned to be constructed in India. 
  • Out of 508Km, 352Km lies in the State of Gujarat (348Km) and Dadra & Nagar Haveli (4Km) and balance 156Km lies in the State of Maharashtra.
  • The Construction Work is in progress in both Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli where 98% and 100% land has been acquired respectively. 
  • In Gujarat, High Speed Rail alignment passes through eight districts i.e. Valsad, Navsari, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Kheda and Ahmedabad and work is in progress in all the eight districts. 
  • In Maharashtra land acquisition done so far is 40%.
  • The project will entail an investment of 72,000 Crs in the state of Gujarat in both Land & construction. 
  • So far an expenditure of 14,200 Crs has been done. 
  • The project will generate direct & indirect employment of 60,000 in Gujarat state.

Source: PIB-Press Release | Image Credit (representational): NHSRCL