The idea of introducing a bullet train in India is compelling, as high-speed rail (HSR) can revolutionize transportation, reduce travel times, and boost economic development.

However, the way it is being introduced in India raises several concerns about its worth, primarily due to skyrocketing costs, delays, and questions over whether it addresses India's actual needs.

1. Rising Costs due to Delays and Speed of The Bullet Train.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, which was launched in 2017, has faced numerous delays and escalating costs. Initial estimates placed the cost at around ₹1.1 lakh crore, but this has significantly increased due to land acquisition issues, inflation, and other logistical challenges. Compared to Indonesia, where HSR construction began in 2016 and finished by 2023, one more thing to mention is Indonesian Bullet Train's operating top speed is 350 km/hr (top speed 420 km/hr), compared to Indian Bullet Train's operating top speed which is 250 km/hr (top speed 320 km/hr)

That is a difference of 100 km/hr (also to mention that Indonesian Bullet Trains were built with the help of China)

2. Existing Rail Vande Bharat Trains.

If Indian Railways invested in modernizing its existing tracks to handle speeds of 160 km/h, trains like Vande Bharat could comfortably average 130 km/h. Which might just be 70-100 km/h less than the average of Indian Bullet Trains. This speed is already a major improvement over current train services, and such a strategy would be much more cost-effective than building entirely new infrastructure for a bullet train.

3. Prioritizing Needs

India's railway system is already under immense pressure to modernize and increase capacity for existing long-distance and suburban routes. For a country with such a large population relying heavily on trains for daily commutes, investing in infrastructure that benefits the majority—like upgrading tracks for faster trains across multiple regions—may offer more tangible benefits than a single bullet train corridor.

Conclusion

While the bullet train is an impressive technological advancement, the way it is being implemented in India raises questions about whether it is truly worth the costs. Upgrading the existing rail network could offer substantial improvements with far less investment, and the delays, cost overruns, and relatively

India mein bullet train laane ka idea bahut accha hai, kyuki high-speed rail (HSR) transport ko badal sakta hai, travel time kam kar sakta hai, aur economic development ko boost kar sakta hai.

Lekin, isko India mein jaise introduce kiya ja raha hai, usse iske fayde ke baare mein bahut sawal uth rahe hain, khaas kar skyrocketing costs, delays, aur is baat ko leke ki kya yeh India ki asli jaruraton ko address karta hai.

1. Bullet Train ki Delay aur Speed ki wajah se Badhte Costs.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, jo 2017 mein launch hua tha, usme bahut saari delays aur costs badhte gaye hain. Shuru mein estimated cost ₹1.1 lakh crore tha, lekin yeh land acquisition issues, inflation, aur other logistical challenges ki wajah se bahut badh gaya hai. Indonesia ke muqable mein, jahan HSR construction 2016 mein shuru hua tha aur 2023 mein khatam hua tha, ek aur baat yeh hai ki Indonesian Bullet Train ki operating top speed 350 km/hr (top speed 420 km/hr) hai, jabki Indian Bullet Train ki operating top speed 250 km/hr (top speed 320 km/hr) hai.

Yeh 100 km/hr ka difference hai (yeh bhi mention karna chahiye ki Indonesian Bullet Trains China ki help se banaye gaye the).

2. Existing Rail Vande Bharat Trains.

Agar Indian Railways apne existing tracks ko modernize karne mein invest karta hai, taaki woh 160 km/h ki speed handle kar sake, toh Vande Bharat jaise trains aaram se 130 km/h ki average speed se chal sakte hain. Jo Indian Bullet Trains ki average speed se sirf 70-100 km/h kam hoga. Yeh speed already current train services se kaafi improvement hai, aur yeh strategy bullet train ke liye poora new infrastructure banane se kaafi cost-effective hoga.

3. Prioritizing Needs

India ki railway system already bahut pressure mein hai ki woh apne existing long-distance aur suburban routes ki capacity ko modernize aur badhaye. Ek aise desh mein jahaan itni badi population hai aur daily commutes ke liye trains pe heavily depend karta hai, aisa infrastructure mein invest karna jo majority ko fayda de, jaise ki multiple regions mein faster trains ke liye tracks upgrade karna, ek single bullet train corridor se zyada tangible benefits de sakta hai.

Conclusion

Bullet train ek impressive technological advancement hai, lekin isko India mein jaise implement kiya ja raha hai, usse iske asli fayde ke baare mein sawal uth rahe hain. Existing rail network ko upgrade karna far less investment mein substantial improvements de sakta hai, aur delays, cost overruns, aur relatively