Bullet train proposal is old wine in new bottle

JAIPUR: The euphoria in the state over the proposal of a bullet train connecting Delhi-Jaipur-Ajmer-Jodhpur seems misplaced. For a reality check, one should look no further than the promise of making Jaipur a world-class railway station.
Moreover, the ambitious hi-speed corridor was announced on Wednesday is not a new one as the project was proposed by the previous railways minister Mamata Banerjee in her Rail Budget 2011-12. Railway minister Dinesh Trivedi has simply added Ajmer and Jodhpur to the previous rail minister's proposal of Delhi-Jaipur hi-speed corridor. Even though a good one year has passed, nothing has been done to kick off work on the line, much like the promise to make Jaipur a world-class railway station.
Experts say it might take at least 10 years to see a bullet train running on the corridor.
The railways was supposed to assign the task of studying if a speed between 250-350 km/hr on the route is attainable as promised by Mamata. But the railways is yet to hire a company for this job.
"There has been no development in the study work for Delhi-Jaipur hi-speed corridor and now Trivedi has just added Ajmer and Jodhpur to this route. It is still not clear who will do the study and by when it would be completed. It appears to be a far fetched idea as of now," said a chief engineer from the railways on the condition of anonymity.
However, addressing the post budget press conference, R C Agarwal, general manager, North Western Railways claimed that the study work will start soon.
According to experts, including retired engineers from the railways, it might take at least 10 years to see a bullet train running on the said route.
"First, a company will be selected for a feasibility study. Things like if the speed of 250 kms/hour is attainable, what kind of wagons would be needed for the train to get that speed and finally, it would be recommended to the concerned authorities at the railway board. It is going to take at least 10 years to see the hi-speed bullet train running between Delhi and Jodhpur," said an NWR official on anonymity.
In the list of railway stations which would be made modal station, the rail minister has added Jaipur. During his budget speed he did not said a word on the proposed Jaipur world-class railway station.
"It is not feasible for the railways to invest the whole amount on its own for the world-class railway project. It has to be through public-private-partnership model. But no investor in the past three years has shown interest in the project," said an official.
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