India Dismisses Former Japanese Minister’s Accusations on Bullet Train Project Delays

India has firmly rebutted claims made by a former Japanese minister regarding delays in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed railway project. The Indian government maintains that cooperation with Japan is advancing positively, with plans to inaugurate the first section of the railway in 2027.

Hideki Makihara, who previously served as Japan’s Vice Minister for Economy, Trade, and Industry, took to social media to criticize the Indian side for what he termed ‘sheer recklessness’ during negotiations. He suggested that this behavior has hindered the project’s progress and accused India of failing to uphold its commitments. Makihara expressed his frustration by stating, “For the honour of all the Japanese folks who poured their hearts into this, I feel 100% that the reason this hasn’t moved forward is entirely on the Indian side.” His comments sparked a wave of responses from Indian officials, who are keen to clarify the situation.

In response to these remarks, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, emphasized that Makihara’s statements were merely personal opinions and did not align with the realities of the situation. According to Jaiswal, discussions between the two nations are ongoing and productive. He highlighted that construction work is progressing rapidly and that they remain on schedule for the first section’s launch in 2027.

Additionally, Jaiswal addressed concerns regarding the supply of the E10 train series from Japan, which is expected to be delivered in the early 2030s due to its development status. He reassured that operations would commence with Indian-made high-speed trains initially, further emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the endeavor.

This project, which aims to revolutionize train travel between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, is a key component of India’s infrastructure ambitions. It is expected to significantly reduce travel times and enhance connectivity between these two major economic hubs. As both countries continue to work together on this landmark initiative, the focus remains on overcoming challenges and ensuring timely completion.

Source: scroll.in