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If Mumbai-Ahmedabad trains are running empty, do we really need the bullet train?

According to an RTI report, 40 per cent seats go vacant in Mumbai-Ahmedabad trains and 44 per cent seats go vacant in the other direction

If Mumbai-Ahmedabad trains are running empty, do we really need the bullet train?
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An RTI application report revealed that Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train is not a feasible idea as not many passengers travel from the existing Mumbai- Ahmedabad trains. The government is planning to spend INR 110,000 crore on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious project.

According to an RTI report, 40 per cent seats go vacant in Mumbai-Ahmedabad trains and 44 per cent seats go vacant in Ahmedabad-Mumbai trains. This has led railways to lose INR 29.91 crore.

RTI Findings

Mumbai-Ahmedabad

  • Last three months - July 1, 2017, to September 30, 2017
  • No of long-distance trains - 30
  • No of commuters - 4,41,795 commuters
  • No of seats - 7,06,630 seats
  • No of seats go vacant - 40 per cent
  • Loss - INR 14,12,83,597 crores
  • Expected profit - INR 44,29,8,220 crores
  • Actual profit - INR 30,16,24,623 crores

Ahmedabad-Mumbai

  • Last three months - July 1, 2017, to September 30, 2017
  • No of long-distance trains - 31
  • No of commuters - 3,98,000
  • No of seats - 7,06,446 seats
  • No of seats go vacant - 44 per cent
  • Loss - INR 15,78,489 crores
  • Expected profit - INR 42,53,11,471 crores
  • Actual profit - INR 26,74,56,982 crores

Duranto, Shatabdi, Gujarat Mail, Bhavnagar, Saurashtra, Vivek, Bhuj, Lokshakti are some of the long-distance trains which are comfortable with good facilities and are on time. Despite good facilities, people don't opt for these trains.

The statistics are shocking and the government should introspect if they should spend crores on the bullet train. This also showcases that the central and state government did not think before sanctioning the project,” Anil Galgali, RTI activist.


On September 14, 2017, PM Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe laid the foundation stone of the high-speed rail-corridor in Gujarat. It is estimated to complete by 2023 and is expected to cut down the commuting time.

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