Bullet Train In India !

Question 1

India’s first bullet train will run in the Mumbai and Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, whose construction began in September 2017.

Finance and Technology :

India currently does not have the indigenous high-speed rail technology.
The technology is provided by Japan and also 81% of the project cost is financed by Japan at an interest of 0.01% for 50 yrs.

Answer 1

Pros :
1. Convenience: Having an alternative mode of transport will decongest the roads.
Also, the speed of bullet trains will save the time and boost the businesses in large cities where time is money.
The interconnectedness between the towns and cities would reduce the hassle of commuting thereby helping in reducing the migration.
Safety:

2. Safety has been one of the major concerns of Indian Railways.
   The record of bullet trains in the field of safety has been impeccable.
   The Shinkansen trains of Japan started in 1964 report no fatalities till date.

Question 2

Cons :

1.Costs: The Mumbai- Ahmedabad high-speed rail costs around one lakh crore Indian Rupee.
Considering the cost overruns due to delays and future fluctuations of inflation, it may further get increased.

2. High fares: It is estimated that the fares may range in between Rs. 4000 to Rs 5000 to make the running of trains economically viable.
   Such fares would be affordable only by the rich who might prefer air travel considering the lesser margin of fares between them.
   However, most of the travel by trains in India is done by the poorer sections.
3. Land acquisition - It might act as another obstacle delaying the project and also causing large-scale displacement of people.

Answer 2

What are the arguments against Bullet Trains in India?

1. The Indian Railways is in a worrying state.There is a need to strengthen the present infrastructure of the railways.
2. The recent number of increasing rail accidents and the road station stampede further strengthens this case.
3. The Unmanned Level Crossings are a menace.
4. The committee also recommended a complete shift to LHB coaches to minimize the loss of lives in case of derailments.
   Thus, the argument is, instead of strengthening and upgrading the current infrastructure keeping in mind the safety of millions of passengers, why invest in a project catered to the well-off sections.

Question 3

Is this argument valid?

There is no denying the fact that safety considerations are to be kept in mind and accorded high priority.

However, comparing these two investments in not right.

These should not be considered as alternative choices. Investments should be made for renovation and up gradation as well as in the bullet trains project.
** there’s no need for these two projects to be mutually exclusive.*

Answer 3

Conclusion:
India aspires to become the third largest economy in the next 25 years. It has already proven its prowess in the field of space and now is the time for furthering its exposure with high technology transportation facilities.