NHSRCL to float over 20 tenders worth Rs 88,000 crore for Bullet Train projects

New Delhi/Urban Transport News: Recently sources in the railway ministry said that the National High-Speed Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) is gearing to float more than 20 tenders for the bullet train project by January next year. The total tenders amounting to Rs 88,000 crore will be for coaches, infrastructure, signaling, and technology, among others.

In July amid local resistance against land acquisition for the project, NHSRCL floated its first tender for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed bullet train project, for building a bridge in the Navsari district of Gujarat. It will be the first of the 60-odd bridges on the 508-kilometer high-speed corridor. Even the project, which has been riddled due to land issues in both Maharashtra and Gujarat has also been embroiled in court cases filed recently by five farmers who have raised the questioned, said that it should be governed by central laws.

However, in a big relief, one of the farmers has withdrawn his petition in the Gujarat High Court stating that the corporation has addressed his complaint. NHSRCL spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar said that we are constantly engaging with the farmers, the dialogues are positive and we are hopeful that we will be able to resolve the situation soon. Out of 508.17-kilometre long corridor, 155.76 kilometers will be in Maharashtra, 348.04 kilometers in Gujarat and 4.3 kilometers in Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

With the help of state government, NHSRCL is in the process of acquiring land. NHSRCL has to acquire 1,434 hectares of land from 298 villages in Gujarat and 350 hectares from 104 villages in Maharashtra. An NHSRCL officer said that a joint measurement survey to finalize the alignment and land required has been completed in most villages in Thane district, a joint measurement survey has been done. But there is strong opposition in Palghar.

About 109.06 kilometers of the corridor will pass through Palghar. For the bullet train, NHRSCL has gotten possession of the required land in Bandra Kurla Complex, which will serve as the starting point in the city. Godrej-owned land in Vikhroli has also been sought for the tunnel-boring machines, but the issue is pending in court.