There has never been a bullet train project that was not completed', Pg13.

Key Highlights:

• The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor project faces potential delays, but past bullet train projects globally have been successfully completed.
• The Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI) chairman, Masafumi Shukuri, believes the Mumbai-Ahmedabad project has favorable conditions for success.
• The project's initial 2022 completion deadline has been pushed back, with the first train now expected by the end of the decade.
• Japan is providing E10 series trains for the project, to be introduced in India in 2030 simultaneously with their launch in Japan.
• The Japanese Shinkansen system boasts a 61-year track record of near-perfect safety and punctuality due to its integrated system.

Detailed Insights:

• The distance and population density between Mumbai and Ahmedabad are comparable to the successful Tokyo-Osaka Shinkansen route, suggesting strong potential.
• Delays are attributed to challenges such as land acquisition, but Japan remains confident in the project's eventual completion and positive reception.
• Shukuri emphasizes the importance of maintaining the Shinkansen's integrated system of hardware, software, training, and management for optimal safety and punctuality.
• Introducing other trains or signaling systems on the same high-speed rail section could compromise the safety and timing features of the Shinkansen.
• The National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd and the Government of India are working with Japanese experts to advance the project.
• The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail aims to transform business practices by enabling same-day travel between the two cities.

Key Concepts Involved:

• High-Speed Rail: A railway system designed for significantly faster speeds than conventional rail, typically exceeding 200 km/h.
• Shinkansen: The Japanese high-speed railway network, known for its safety, punctuality, and technological advancements.
• Automatic Train Control (ATC): A system that automatically controls train speed and movement to ensure safety and prevent collisions.