Sena-BJP clash in Lok Sabha over delay in execution of Bullet Train project in Maharashtra

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Mumbai: Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members on Wednesday clashed in the Lok Sabha over delay in execution of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project. Shiv Sena MP’s took strong objection to Union Railways Minister, Piyush Goyal blaming the Sena led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra for halting the project.

Replying to supplementary queries raised on a question raised by BJP MP from Mumbai North-East Lok Sabha constituency, Manoj Kotak during question hour Union Railways Minister, Piyush Goyal disclosed that 99 percent land has been acquired in Gujarat for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project. Whereas, only 24 percent of the land for the project has been acquired in Maharashtra.

Blaming the Shiv Sena-led coalition government in Maharashtra for halting the project, he said, whatever land was acquired was during the previous regime. He said, if the Maharashtra government cooperates, then the high-speed rail network can be expedited.

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Raising supplementary query, Kotak wanted to know the status of whether the land had been acquired at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) for the station for the High Speed train. The BJP MP wanted to know as to how the project work would commence if the Centre and Railways do not get the land for the project.

Some Shiv Sena members objected to his allegations. The Minister also informed that the work for preparation of Detailed Project Report for high speed rail corridor between Mumbai and Nagpur corridor has been approved and entrusted to National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (HSRCL) and the same is under progress. Goyal however said, the project is yet to be sanctioned. Shiv Sena MP from Buldhana Prataprao Jadhav had asked this question.

Replying to the query from Sena MP Prataprao Jadhav, Goyal remarked that it was the joint responsibility of both the Centre and state government to expand the high speed rail network be it from Mumbai to Ahmedabad or to Nagpur.

“If the state government so desires then it should extend cooperation. Work on the high speed rail network in Maharashtra is not moving ahead. If the Sena members want a high speed rail network to be developed between Mumbai and Nagpur, then who else besides me would like it to happen. It is the dream of the Prime Minister that high speed and semi-high speed trains operate in the country. The Maharashtra government is trying to put impediments in the way. In such circumstances how will the Mumbai-Nagpur high speed train operate”, remarked Goyal. The Minister’s response prompted the Sena members to raise their hackles.