PM Modi thanks Shinzo Abe for the 'bullet train' during launch: Things that you need to know

Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and PM Narendra Modi jointly launched the work on India's first bullet train at Gujarat's Ahmedabad this morning. Scheduled to be a 508 km high-speed rail link between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, this project is seen as the PM's centrepiece to demonstrate India's capacity in building high-tech projects. 

The project also signals the growing closeness between Japan and India, amid the threats posed by China. The bullet train is expected to begin operating in 2022. However, reports suggest that the PM wants it to begin a year ahead. 

Here are a few things that you need to know about the first major initiative by the Indian government in making India superfast:

• The estimated cost of the 508 km project is calculated to be Rs 1,08,000 crore
• The train will have the capacity to accomodate 750 people
• It will have a dozen halts.
• The distance between the two cities can be covered in 3 hours, instead of 7 hours
• A Special Purpose Vehicle to be set up for the construction of the project will have a share capital of Rs 20,000 crore,of which Maharashtra’s share will be Rs 5,000 crore. 
• Out of the 21-km-long tunnel dug between Boisar and BKC in Mumbai, seven km will be under the sea.
• 50.31 hectares of land at BKC has already been allotted by the Maharashtra Government. 
• The Japanese government is likely to give a loan of 50 years at an interest rate of 0.1% for the project. 
• The project involves a share component of 50 per cent by the Railways and 25 per cent each by Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Prime Ministers @AbeShinzo and @narendramodi at Mahatma Mandir before their talks earlier today. pic.twitter.com/LikZaeMLuz

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 14, 2017

The India Cultural Road Show gave PM @AbeShinzo glimpses of the rich and diverse Indian culture that we are all extremely proud of. pic.twitter.com/IN7Z34zZXQ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 13, 2017

Towards next gen infrastructure...foundation stone for India's first high speed rail laid by PMs @AbeShinzo and @narendramodi. pic.twitter.com/YbQXSakJaZ

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 14, 2017

I congratulate PM @narendramodi & Japanese PM @AbeShinzo for laying the foundation stone of path breaking Bullet Train project in Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/JcSiGWbND1

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 14, 2017

Shri @PiyushGoyal's event schedule for today. You can view live webcast of this event on https://t.co/mZpoOBaM6f #BulletTrain pic.twitter.com/NpSgKrUE7Q

— Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) September 14, 2017

• Plans have been made to upgrade it to a 16-car engine bullet train in future.
• Close to 120 lakh cubic meter concrete is required, apart from 55 lakh metric ton cement. This project is likely to
• generate about 16000 indirect employment opportunity. 20,000 construction workers will also be hired.
• The technology that will be applied for its construction is called the Shinkansen technology, which is known for its
• reliability and safety with 50-year proven track record.
• The High Speed Rail training Institute at Vadodara is likely to train 4,000 staff for operations and maintenance.
• The 12 station stops proposed for the project are Bbandra, Kurla, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Surat.

यह बुलेट ट्रेन जापान और भारत के बीच भाईचारे का प्रतीक बनने जा रही है : @PiyushGoyal #BulletTrain4Growth

— Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) September 14, 2017

The Bullet Train project will be a stimulus for India's manufacturing & construction sector, creating new job opportunities: @PiyushGoyal

— Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) September 14, 2017

• india
• narendra modi
• shinzo abe
• bullet train
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• launch