Officials from the Centre have recently stated that the land acquisition process for the ambitious Rs 1 trillion bullet train project is scheduled to be completed by the end of this month. In order to achieve this target, the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra has directed all district collectors in the state to promptly hand over the required land for the project. The bullet train project spans across regions in Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Maharashtra.
Current Status of Land Acquisition
While the land acquisition process has been successfully concluded in Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Maharashtra still requires the transfer of over 15% of the total land to the National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL), the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the project. So far, the acquired land encompasses 959.04 hectares in Gujarat and 430.45 hectares in Maharashtra.
Equity Distribution and Partner Contributions
The NHSRCL receives 50% equity from the Railways Ministry and an additional 25% from each of the state governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat. This consortium ensures that the project can harness the expertise and resources of all involved stakeholders to achieve success.
Importance of Power Transmission Line Shifting
Apart from land acquisition, another crucial aspect that warrants prompt attention is the shifting of the power transmission lines along the project route. Completing this task within the designated timeline is of utmost importance. In Gujarat, significant progress has already been made with the relocation of 1333 infringing lines. Similarly, in Maharashtra, 300 out of the 318 infringing lines have been dealt with. According to a senior official, the remaining transmission lines in Maharashtra will be relocated by the end of March 2024.
Obtaining Necessary Approvals
In addition to land acquisition and transmission line shifting, the bullet train project has obtained approvals for various activities such as forest, wildlife, and mangroves cutting, as well as tree cutting. This indicates that all necessary clearances and permissions have been obtained to ensure seamless progress. As the bullet train project surges ahead, the finalization of land acquisition and timely completion of power transmission line shifting are imperative milestones. Completion of these crucial tasks will bring the project one step closer to transforming India’s transportation landscape. With seamless coordination between central and state authorities, the future of high-speed rail connectivity in the country looks promising.
