The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, with a sanctioned cost of Rs. 1,08,000 crore, has made significant progress. As of now, 290.64 km of pier foundation, 267.48 km of pier construction, 150.97 km of girder casting, and 119 km of girder launching have been completed. However, the final timeline and cost can only be determined after all contract packages are awarded. This high-speed rail project links key business centres like Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad in the rapidly growing states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Its Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR), evaluated by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), stands at 11.8 percent.
In parallel, the Ministry of Railways has been actively engaged in constructing two Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs): the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) stretching from Ludhiana to Sonnagar (1,337 km) and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal (JNPT) to Dadri (1,506 km). EDFC construction has been completed, while 1,220 km out of 1,506 km of WDFC has been finished. These corridors aim to reduce logistic costs by facilitating higher axle load trains, Double Stack Container trains (DSC), and providing faster access to the Northern hinterland via Western Ports. They are expected to foster the growth of new industrial hubs and Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals. To ensure timely completion, the Government has ensured adequate funding and closely monitored land acquisition activities in coordination with State Governments and various forums.
Furthermore, in the realm of station development, significant progress has been made. Three railway stations – Rani Kamlapati Station of West Central Railway, Gandhinagar Capital Station of Western Railway, and Sir M. Visveswarayya Terminal Station of South Western Railway – have been successfully developed and commissioned over the past three years. Drawing from this experience, the Ministry of Railways has launched the ‘Amrit Bharat Station’ scheme, aiming to develop stations across Indian Railways. Currently, 1318 stations have been earmarked for development/redevelopment under this scheme. The scheme emphasizes continuous development with a long-term perspective, focusing on improving station amenities such as access, waiting areas, hygiene, Wi-Fi access, and local product kiosks. It also emphasizes multimodal integration, facilities for differently-abled individuals, environmentally friendly solutions, and the creation of city centres at stations in the long run.
