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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Bullet train caution to govt -Jaideep Hardikar

Bullet train caution to govt -Jaideep Hardikar

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published Published on Feb 19, 2016   modified Modified on Feb 19, 2016
-The Telegraph

Nagpur: Delhi Metro architect E. Sreedharan has suggested that investments in upgrading existing railway systems should take priority over high-speed bullet trains the Centre aims to roll out, his comments coming days before the rail budget.

"Eventually, we must go for bullet trains but this is not the right time to invest in that system," Sreedharan, referred to as the "Metro Man" for his role in building the network in Delhi and guiding such projects in other cities, said today.

The investments, he felt, should first go into the improvement of the existing rail system to increase speed, add new lines, and expand infrastructure capacity.

The Narendra Modi government had in last year's rail budget announced a Rs 96,000-crore Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, a plan that evoked mixed reactions from some industry analysts who had wondered whether the Centre had got its priorities right.

Today, Sreedharan, speaking on the sidelines of a programme here to mark the first foundation day of the Nagpur Metro project, said: "I am a big votary of the state to take a lead role in the construction of modern railways," the 83-year-old said.

He was replying to a question about funding options to build, operate and sustain Metro and high-speed railway networks planned by the Centre.

Private investments will come only if the projects are highly profitable, Sreedharan said, warning that in such ventures "profits are not easy to come immediately".

The advice assumes significance ahead of the budget that railway minister Suresh Prabhu is slated to present on February 25 and suggestions that the Centre needs to jack up investments to modernise the existing system.

In his speech at today's event, Sreedharan said building and operating Metro networks was easier than making it financially viable and sustainable, given the high capital requirements and low returns in the initial years. "Be careful about the capital investments," he told the Nagpur Metro authorities, urging them to lay out clear-cut investment plans.

Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Nagpur project is currently in its initial phase. The Maharashtra government and the Centre are to each share 40 per cent of the cost, pegged at Rs 8,600 crore.

Around Rs 4,500 crore will come in the form of loans from French and German financial institutions, Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation managing director Brijesh Dixit said.

The north-south and east-west corridor of the Metro would span around 38km and will be unveiled in phases. Dixit said the fully elevated system would be completed within a period of four years.

Sreedharan cautioned that the project must be completed on time, saying around Rs 50 lakh was lost each day only on account of inflation when such projects were delayed. "The project must be completed within time, so that it remains financially viable," he said.

The first phase of the Delhi Metro was completed in seven years and three months when the target was 10 years, Sreedharan recalled.

"For that, you have to develop a professional work culture and carefully select contractors who have a good track record and expertise in such projects." Metro projects across India are known to suffer heavy cost and time overruns.

Although the Nagpur project has the backing of the Centre and the state - the city is the hometown of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari - concerns about financing persist.

"Metro is a fond dream of citizens but the biggest challenge is to make it financially sustainable and very affordable," Sreedharan told the authorities.

The Telegraph, 19 February, 2016, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160219/jsp/nation/story_70177.jsp#.VsbVZ-Y1t_k


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