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Bullet trains in india – Is it a right step?

Tanuj Makin
. Update: Apr 3, 2018 10:46 am
11

Table of Contents

In Favour :-

High-Speed Railways (HSR) in India is going to be a new step towards a technologically advanced nation which would help in the development of infrastructure as well as reduce unemployment.
India entering into the HSR group would work as a status symbol for the country, attracting not only audience from all over the world but also making her an attractive FDI option.
Bullet trains will decrease travel time hence increasing the connectivity as well as ease the means of transport, hence eliminating regional differences.
The question of economic feasibility is being raised as the project is too costly at Rs. 1.5 lakh crores. However, similar questions were raised during the introduction of telecom services and the commission of Maruti. As the service expanded and the demand increased, not only did the respective areas become profitable, but the prices also went down outrageously.
Japan investing about 80% of the money in Indian bullet train project at a nominal interest rate of 0.1% benefits both the countries and serves to strengthen the bond between the two.
Bullet trains could prove to be an important means of transportation for long duration journey for the middle-class population of the country.
Once India gains the technology from Japan, India can also become an exporter of technology as well as stock.

Against :-

Japan will only be providing the technology to India after the span of 15 years till then they are going to provide the trains to India making us dependent. By then, the technology would have become totally unfeasible, given the inflation, and redundant.
The cost of the project is more than 1.5 lakh crore for a single rail line. Instead, this money can be invested in the development of the present railway system which is a case deserving more immediate attention, seeing the recent rail accidents in India. Furthermore, Kakodkar committee recommended an investment of Rs. 1 lakh crore for upgrading the safety and security of the railways.
Only a few high-income countries have HSR while others have failed in their efforts or abandoned after debating about it.
90% of railway passengers of India travel through sleeper class or lower class so this huge sum of money should be invested in the development of the present railway system which is for the larger population.
Japan giving the loan of 88 lakh crore to India is not, as quoted by our Prime Minister, “almost free of cost”, but according to many economists seeing the condition of rupee falling in the international market would make that loan amount to around 1 lakh 15 thousand crores, which may be higher than the prevailing rates in Japan.
The HSR fare will amount at least to Rs. 4000-5000 which is not only unfeasible for the lower and the middle class but far more than the airline fare, which is as low as Rs.2000. Hence, HSR seems to be beneficial only for elite.
There are other options available like ‘Hyperloop’, which is more feasible and less costlier. India could have provided her scientific expertise and given land holding to the research and development of these technologies.

Also Read : Digital Revolution - Pros & Cons

Best Practices Worldwide :-

Spain’s HSR has turned out to be profitable for their economy.
South Korea’s HSR carries almost 70% of the population, still struggles with viability.
Taiwan invested around 14 billion in HSR and virtually became bankrupt after losses of over 1 billion.
Argentina gave up on the idea of HSR because of high investment and decided to develop its present railway system to medium speed.
Japan’s pioneering Shinkansen, travels through the biggest industrial area carrying 150 million passengers annually.
China has a large system of HSR and it envisages further expanding it. However, the middle-class man prefers normal railways; resultantly, the HSR fares have been slashed several times and the project now runs a debt of Rs. 300 crores.

Conclusion :-

India has one of the largest rail networks in the world carrying almost 20 million passengers every day and more than 89 major accidents have taken place since 2000 which implies Indian railway tracks need to be modernized, therefore this huge sum of money should be invested in these projects as a priority rather than investing in HSR.

Afterwords :- What is your opinion on Bullet trains in India? Express your thoughts in the comment section below.

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11 Comments

Sandeep, Feb 2, 2019 @ 9:54 pm Reply

I think bringing the bullet train to India is a positive approach. Because India is a developing country, which is that 15% people use ordinary trains upper class. They use more in the metros. Therefore, HSR should be introduced in such cities.
priyanka sharma, Sep 20, 2018 @ 1:06 pm Reply

in my opinion bullet train should be a perfect facility provided.
Neeru thakur, Jul 4, 2018 @ 5:11 pm Reply

Yes India need to modernize their existing railway system. Its a better option than than bullet train. In a railway system people are facing many problem because of lack of rule and regulation. Firstly India should improve railway system after that supposed these type costly project. Because Japan give money to complete this project but not give money for maintenance.
Pankaj Kumar, May 9, 2018 @ 8:21 am Reply

I really Appreciate all the opinions. I may be Eco the same thing. That India is the country of Middle class and lower Middle class people, who really can’t afford the High fares of the HSR. 60% of people use sleeper class and 30% of people using Passengers class in recent train system. Only 10% of people using AC facilities of trains. And I totally agree with fact that we need to modernize our existing Railway Syatem first and then thing further. Country like China and Taiwan facing Heavy Loses becoz of HSR.

So Improve our Existing Railway system would be the better Idea instead of getting the Bullet Train for One route and for few High class Passengers.

And don’t forget the Tejas Train . Where we people misused the facilities and detroyed everything within a single day..
sandip sinha, May 4, 2018 @ 1:27 pm Reply

bullet trains in india:-

According to me,launching HRS system by means of bullet trains is undoubtedly an adventurous task for Modi-government.The proposed railway track is Mumbai-Ahmedabad route and is cost probably 150,000 crore rupees which will be paid by an 0.1%interest rate to the japan.
its totally an cost intensive project for india.
before working on this project its
better to review the existing one.where most of the passengers in india are travelling through railway are lower -middle class background.we need to ensure better safety,security,safer signalling system to its passenger. Indian railway system still not modernised and facing accident prone incidents over the decades.
another most important point is bullet train is also needed better monitoring system,skill technician,excellent railway track for its movement so,we need to extensive research and infrastructure before implement it.
As,india is growing tremendously from agriculture to space research hence it will be interesting to see how it will implement in a cost effective manner and co-operatively with its people.
yogesh sharma, Apr 28, 2018 @ 8:44 pm Reply

One train needs 1.20lac cr. in such amount all trains,tracks and even platform can be modernised with awesome amenities.
- Team GD Ideas, Apr 30, 2018 @ 6:40 am Reply
  
  True! All trains may not be modernized with that amount, but yes! A lot can be done with that money.
Manish Makwana, Apr 4, 2018 @ 12:21 am Reply

India is developing country and bullet trains are somewhat a luxury facility and probably will be useful to only upper rich class people who can afford Air travel without any worry of fares.
Also after incident of ‘TEJAS Express’ it’s questionable to provide such a luxury facility to Indian citizens,if people treat bullet trains as they had treated ‘TEJAS Express’ then bullet trains maintenance cost will be a huge expense.
kuldeep Kumar parteti, Jan 22, 2018 @ 8:16 pm Reply

I think it is better to develop new technology but it is also better to invest money in these project to reduce accident rather than used in HSR.
Uppu, Dec 18, 2017 @ 11:37 pm Reply

Japan is not going to provide loan for repair of old train network. Soo don’t say that this money should be used for maintenance just remember if no bullet train then this money won’t be there.
Second most important thing India. Should do modernization of its rail network by its own which India can do this bullet train technology will help to enhance the quality of existing train system
SHAREL GOYAL, Nov 16, 2017 @ 12:07 am Reply

i think iNDIA should invest money to improve their railway system rather than investing in the HRS ….