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INFRASTRUCTURE With the new government having taken charge in Maharashtra, (VB) trains, Vaishnaw said that the success of these trains has been
NEW MAHA GOVT TO PUSH BULLET TRAIN PROJECT
proven, and the railway ministry is all set to roll out another 250
VB trains in coming days. “Just like iPhones, from time to time,
the bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is set to
upgraded versions of VB trains will be launched with necessary
get a much needed boost, said Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union minister
improvements. Nearly 370 railway stations, including Ahmedabad,
of railways, communications and electronics & information
will be upgraded in line with the redevelopment at Gandhinagar
technology. Talking to media-persons on the sidelines of a startup
event at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India
and Bhopal railway stations. In fact, tendering processes for 45
(EDI) near Gandhinagar, Vaishnaw said that the former Uddhav
Commenting on the Digital India initiatives, he said India is relying
Thackeray-led Maharashtra government was not interested the
heavily on technology, adding that the Centre is promoting
bullet train project, but “hopefully now there would be some stations have already been completed,” he added.
momentum on the Maharashtra side, as the state is having the startups in crucial sectors including railways, defence, postal
benefit of double-engine government”, he said, adding that work services, etc. Just a decade ago, there were hardly 800-900
for the bullet train is going on at rapid speed in Gujarat. startups, but currently there are 73,000 startups functioning
The minister said that pillars for the ambitious project have been successfully across the country, said Vaishnaw, adding, “At present
put up on a 70-km route and foundation work is in advanced there are as many as 103 unicorns in the country.”
stages along over 160 km between Ahmedabad and Vapi. He also stated that startups could avail maximum benefits under
Besides, the construction of bridges on eight rivers is progressing the recently approved semiconductor policy through its design-
fast. “We are confident of achieving the target of running India’s led incentive (DLI) programme. He expressed optimism that the
first bullet train between Surat and Bilimora stations in 2026,” said semiconductor sector would generate more than 5 million fresh
the minister. Talking about the ingeniously made Vande Bharat jobs in the next five years in the country.

ANJI KHAD BRIDGE: INDIA’S FIRST CABLE-STAYED RAIL The Anji Khad Bridge forms the second leg of the project and is
BRIDGE 50% COMPLETE, WORK ON IN FULL SWING being built 7 km south of the Chenab Bridge.
The Anji Khad Bridge forms the second leg of the project and Once completed, the bridge over the Anji river will rise 331 m
is being built 7 km south of the Chenab Bridge. Indian Railways above the riverbed, surpassing the iconic Eiffel Tower in height.
has completed over 50% work on the Anji Khad Bridge under The bridge will be 473.25 m long and supported by 96 cables.
the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. The According to the official website of the project, the work has been
Union Ministry of Railways posted several pictures of the under- divided into: Udhampur to Katra (25 km), Katra to Banihal (111 km),
construction bridge while sharing the progress report on Twitter. Banihal to Quazigund (18 km), and Quazigund to Baramulla (118
“Overcoming the daunting geographical conditions, the km).
construction is going on in full swing,” the ministry said in the tweet. The website said: “This project is, perhaps, the most difficult new
The Anji Khad Bridge, connecting Katra and Reasi, has been railway line project undertaken on the Indian subcontinent. The
dubbed as an engineering marvel. The link, India’s first-ever cable- terrain passes through the young Himalayas, which are full of
stayed rail bridge, will be a breakthrough in connecting Kashmir geological surprises and numerous problems.”
with the rest of India by train within the next two years. Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also shared an update
The USBRL project is one of Indian Railways’ most challenging on the construction of the Anji Khad Bridge. “A future-ready India.
projects and includes construction of the world’s highest railway Nation’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, Anji Khad bridge connecting
bridge over the Chenab river. The 1,315-m arch bridge will have Kashmir,” Vaishnaw tweeted.
a capacity to bear earthquakes of the highest intensity and The USBRL project was estimated to cost `27,949 crore.
withstand wind speeds up to 266 km/hour.

CABINET APPROVES TARANGA HILL-AMBAJI-ABU ROAD year. The construction of this line will facilitate easy travel for these
NEW RAIL LINE PROJECT millions of devotees. Further, the devotees visiting the Ajitnath Jain
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime temple (one of the 24 holy Jain Tirthankaras) at Taranga Hill would
Minister Narendra Modi has approved the construction of Taranga also be greatly benefitted by this connectivity. This railway new line
Hill-Ambaji- Abu Road new rail line to be constructed by Ministry between Taranga Hill-Ambaji- Abu Road will connect these two
of Railways at an estimated cost of `2798.16 crore. important religious sports with railway’s main network.
According to the government released data, the total length of This line will facilitate faster movement of agricultural and local
the new rail line will be 116.65 kms. The project will be completed products and also provide improved mobility of the people in the
by 2026-27. The project will generate direct employment during region within the state of Gujarat and Rajasthan and also to other
construction for about 40 lakh mandays. parts of the country. This project will also provide alternative route
In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s vision of a New India, for existing Ahmedabad-Abu Road railway line.
the project is going to enhance connectivity and improve mobility The alignment of the proposed doubling will traverse through Sirohi
leading to overall socio economic development of the region. district of Rajasthan and Banaskantha and Mahesana districts of
Ambaji is a famous important pilgrimage destination and is one of Gujarat.
the 51 Shaktipeeths in India and attracts millions of devotees from The construction of new rail line will attract investment and lead to
Gujarat as well as other parts of the country and abroad every overall socio-economic development of the region.

56 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|SEPTEMBER 2022