Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train commenced its journey in India with top-speed after PM Modi and Japanese PM Abe laid foundation

NewsBharati    14-Sep-2017
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Ahmedabad, September 14: Finally! The journey of bullet train commences in India with top speed from Ahmedabad to Mumbai. Notably, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Thursday jointly laid the foundation stone for the high-speed bullet train project between Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

 

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe speech: HIGHLIGHTS:

 

  • Japanese PM Shinzo Abe starts his address with "Namaskar"
  • Japan is committed to support Make In India. Our industries are working with India to give a boost to manufacturing in India.
  • I would like to state that India-Japan partnership is special, strategic and global.
  • I hope to enjoy the beauty of India through the windows of the Bullet Train when I come to India in a few years.
  • I really like Gujarat & I really like India. I will do whatever I can for India.
  • PM Modi and I will work towards realizing 'Jai Japan- Jai India'.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech: HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • The PM firstly congratulated the people of India on the launch of bullet train project.
  • The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project will make the corridor into a 'Special Economic Corridor'.
  • If technology is used to empower the poor we can win the fight against poverty
  • Technology is changing rapidly. Our focus is on high-speed connectivity. More productivity with high-speed connectivity.
  • India has taken a huge step towards fulfilling its decades-long dream.
  • Bullet Train project will bring employment and speed.
  • Growth will come from areas of high-speed corridors.
  • Transport system is of prime importance for a nation's development.
  • Now next generation growth will happen at places where there are high speed corridors.
  • If one says take loan & return it in 50 yrs, is it believable? But Japan is such a friend, they gave us loan of 88,000 cr at 0.1% interest.
  • The bullet train project will create jobs, it is human and eco-friendly.
  • Freight corridors are being built to cut the time taken to transport goods.
  • GST has shortened the time taken to transport goods from one place to another.
 
 

 

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani welcomed Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and expressed gratitude towards Japan. While, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said “with laying foundation of bullet train, we are also laying foundation of 'New India'.”

On the other side, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said bullet train will be a symbol of brotherhood between people of India and Japan. Also taking the opposition on target Minister Piyush Goyal said, “Many people criticized the introduction of Rajdhani but now it is the train everyone wants to travel in.”
 
The train will cover a distance of over 500 km in around two hours. The project is expected to be completed by 2022. Japan has extended a soft loan for the ambitious project conceptualised by PM Modi.

The two leaders will also hold the 12th Indo-Japan annual Summit meeting at Gandhinagar on Thursday after which agreements will be signed. Gujarat chief secretary JN Singh said 15 agreements will be signed for investments in the state during the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister.

Earlier on Wednesday, PM Modi held an 8-km road show with his counterpart Shinjo Abe and his wife in Ahmedabad. The road show, which began from Ahmedabad airport ended at the Sabarmati Ashram. The road show, designed to showcase India's cultural diversity, saw artists from several states performing on 28 stages erected by the roadside.

The visiting dignitaries and PM Modi paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the ashram where the Father of the Nation lived for about 12 years. The three dignitaries later sat for some time by the serene Sabarmati Riverfront, developed by PM Modi when he was the chief minister of Gujarat.

PM Modi also hosted dinner for his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie at a famous Agashiye restaurant, known for its elegance and kosher Gujarati cuisine. PM Modi and the Abe couple also visited the 16th century Sidi Saiyyed Mosque in evening and enjoyed the performance of musical instrument Jal Tarang.

Accompanied by his wife, Japanese Prime Minister arrived in Ahmedabad on Wednesday on a two-day to India. Abe's wife Akie will visit a number of places including an NGO- Blind People's Association on Thursday.