Bullet train will run in 2023 in India: Lohani

Patna: Chairman of Railway Board R C Lohani today announced that high speed train project was in stage of execution as per schedule and bullet train will run on Ahmedabad-Mumbai route in 2023.Mr Lohani, who was here to attend a function organised by East Central Railway, told media that high speed train project was in phase of execution as per schedule and there was no hurdle in completing it. Bullet train will run on Ahmedabad- Mumbai route in 2023, as the deadline fixed for the ambitious project, he added.

Chairman, responding to a query on huge expenses being made for the ambitious project, said that soft loan for the purpose had been provided by Japan at a very low interest. Fund was not the problem to complete the project within stipulated time frame, he said, adding that no other project of railways had suffered due to huge investment in bullet train project as fund was provided by Japan in the form of soft loan on attractive terms and conditions.

Mr Lohani brushed aside the apprehension of former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad that huge expenses on bullet train project, was not a wise investment for Indian Railways, saying sufficient fund was being provided to all the pending projects and the expenses being incurred against high speed train project, was not at all affecting the financial health of other projects in particular and India Railways in General.(UNI)