Those who oppose the high-speed rail corridor project citing poverty and the extravagant cost of the project should realise that it is a long-term dream scheme of the nation, being funded at a meagre interest rate of 0.1%. It will create thousands of employment opportunities, directly and indirectly, in the long run (“An alliance on track”, September 13). The bullet train is an endeavour to bring in economic growth and prosperity by adopting the most modern technology from a leading nation, Japan. We are living in a world where technology is the need of the hour and India cannot afford to miss out on such projects. It was once argued by the Left that information technology was a bane but it was subsequently proven that India is a world leader in this area.
Kshirasagara Balaji Rao,
Hyderabad
The project is a misplaced priority. We have to learn lessons from the revelation that Taiwan’s high-speed line which used the same Japanese technology is experiencing heavy losses while Indonesia, which is to use Chinese technology, is facing land acquisition issues. We are witness to the Indian Railways struggle to obtain ‘right of way’ even for a small stretch of track. Prolonged litigation often pushes up costs. Have the Railways done their homework for the earmarked stretch of over 500 km? Given the speed at which large-scale projects are executed in India, the deadline of 2022 seems overambitious. The terms of the soft loan from Japan, though comparatively better than if it was availed from the World Bank, may not prove to be economical. Fare tariffs for a bullet train are bound to be prohibitive. With its very poor safety record, the Indian Railways would do well to concentrate on strengthening the existing track system with suitable technology and adopt coach technology that ensures safe and comfortable travel. Here, the aim seems to be to help Japan lift its stagnant economy and maintain a balance in relations with neighbours.
V. Subramanian,
Chennai
