The ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project has seen several roadblocks, particularly after the MVA government took over with Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray as the Chief Minister. The CM has previously deemed this project a “white elephant”, indicating at a reluctance to carry it forward.
Though a recent report mentioned that the preparations for the project are well underway, it has now come to light that the authorities haven’t even completed a quarter of the land acquisition on the path of the proposed bullet train line. So far, it is said that the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL) has only managed to acquire 23 per cent of the total land required in the state for the project.
The project is expected to impact 97 villages in Maharashtra, and a total of 431 hectares of land is to be acquired. However, only 100 hectares have reportedly been acquired so far. A spokesperson for the NHSRCL added that a total of 70 per cent and 80 per cent of the land has been purchased in Gujarat as well as Dadra and Nagar Haveli, suggesting that the project is moving at a snail’s pace in Maharashtra.
Also Read - Despite State’s Hesitance, Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project May Go Ahead
Elaborating on the plan put forth by the NHSRCL, a total of 155 kilometres of tracks will go through Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar districts in Maharashtra. The land is spread across forests, as well as private and government-owned lands. It is said that the joint measurement survey of the land is almost nearing completion.
While the government had set a deadline of December 2019 for the land acquisition obstacles to be dealt with, the project has faced opposition from farmers as well as tribals in Maharashtra. This project has also seen political opposition as the bullet train proposal was agreed to by the previous government (BJP) in the state led by Devendra Fadnavis.
Also read - CM Thackeray Hints At Roadblocks For Ahmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train Project
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