INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project has met with hurdles ranging from political controversies to local protest regarding land acquisition.
In the latest development, Farmers from over two dozen villages in Gujarat's Navsari district opposed land acquisition and prevented officials from measuring farm plots.
According to reports, a protest started in Parthan and four other villages and those opposing the land survey were joined by representatives from 23 other areas.
Farm leader Siddharth Desai said that land in these areas was surveyed a year ago but no compensation was awarded so far.
He pointed out that they were told to give the amount in two months.
Government officials said that “villagers opposed the survey but the process is continuing”.
The high-speed line is being built with Japanese loans and technology. The foundation stone was laid on September 14, 2017, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.
Of the 508.17-km-long high-speed rail corridor, 155.76 km will be in Maharashtra, 348.04 km in Gujarat and 4.3 km in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
Political debate
Meanwhile, a political debate emerged in India over the project.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray likened the multi-crore train project to a "white elephant", and said a decision on its implementation will be taken after he is convinced it will boost industrial development of the state.
He said there should be a “comprehensive discussion” on the viability of the project, which has faced stiff opposition from farmers and tribals whose lands are to be acquired.
Reacting to Thackeray’s comment, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said the proposed Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train is a project of national importance and not of any state.
He justified that Gujarat shares a special bond with Mumbai as thousands of people travel for business between Ahmedabad and India's financial capital.
Bob Blackman MP speaks during the event