Do We Need Bullet Train? Piyush Goyal's answer on Quora engages 1.3 Lakh people
- India is a rapidly developing economy with numerous developmental needs. A major component of India's developmental plan is the upgradation of current rail networks as well as the development of new high speed rail corridors popularly known as bullet trains, he said.
- Citing the examples of Rajdhani Express and the introduction of cell phone technology in India, he further said that these introductions too were criticised, but have become a necessity among the people over time.
- He provided a detailed report on how bullet train is a low-cost project and how it will promote Modi's 'Make in India' vision.
FollowRailway Minister Piyush Goyal's active social media presence has been much appreciated, but not as much as this one. The raging debate on whether India needs a bullet train has finally got a direction with the answer he has posted on a popular Q&A site Quora.com.Â
Defending the Centre's stand on bullet train, Goyal said that it was an essential move for a developing country like India. He said, "India is a rapidly developing economy with numerous developmental needs. A major component of India's developmental plan is the upgradation of current rail networks as well as the development of new high speed rail corridors popularly known as bullet trains."
Read Piyush Goyal (Official)'s answer to Does India actually need a bullet train? on Quora
Speaking of the people's lukewarm response to the move, often culminating into raging debates over the government's intentions of improving the existing infrastructure, Goyal further said that any new initiative has the same reaction. NDTV quotes him as, "New technology has not always been adopted easily, and has at most times seen resistance. However, history shows us that new technology and advancements are highly beneficial for the country."
Citing the examples of Rajdhani Express and the introduction of cell phone technology in India, he further said that these introductions too were criticised, but have become a necessity among the people over time. He said, "Similarly, the bullet train project will also help railways revolutionise every passenger's journey."
The minister, however, did not stop at just justifying the project, but also detailed why it was required. He provided a detailed report on how bullet train is a low-cost project and how it will promote Modi's 'Make in India' vision. He also identified the ways in which it will boost the economy of India.Â
According to a report by Scroll.in, he said, "The project will boost job creation – initially, about 20,000 jobs when the railway network is being constructed – and exports. It will also help 12 stations along the route emerge as economic powerhouses. Long-run costs are also expected to fall through the advantages gained by economies of scale further developing our network."
