Recently there was great fuss about high speed trains. It
achieved profound importance in BJP’s manifesto and then it was reiterated in
the rail budget 2014-15. A hefty sum has been allocated for developing
Mumbai-Ahmedabad stretch of Diamond quadrilateral project which will connect
metro and growth centres with high speed trains. Critics, opposition parties
and academicians have made hue and cry over the need of bullet trains in India.
If bullet trains are really required?
At a time when economic growth is dwindling, inflation is
persistently high and twin deficits (fiscal deficit and current account
deficit) are looming over dangerous limits, such a huge investment in high
speed corridor may further deteriorate the economy. Running bullet trains will
come with great challenges:
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Building separate infrastructure to support high
speed rails such as laying down the new tracks, signal systems, safety
standards will require huge funds
-
Land acquisition for laying the new tracks will
again be a time taking and costly affair given the stringent provision of land
acquisition act, 2013. A large number of people will be affected who need to be
rehabilitated and resettled.
-
License raj and red tapism in India have made it
difficult to start the projects. Many large scale projects are stuck due to the
environment and forest clearances. Getting the clearances will be an issue to
reckon with.
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When investors’ confidence in the economy is at
abysmally low, attracting them to invest in high speed trains will be a tenuous
job.
No doubt, bullet trains will drastically reduce the travel
time but it will be affordable only by richer strata of society. Poor will be
deprived of the benefits to a large extent. It is argued by the government that
high speed corridor will facilitate transport of perishable goods at faster
speeds leading to less wastage which will ultimately rein in the food
inflation; however, even if that’s true, developing bullet trains network is
yet a far distant dream. Also, tourism industry will proliferate bringing more
foreign capital to the country and hence enhancing the economy.
Altogether, high speed trains will be beneficial; however, due
to large scale investments and other concerns stated above certainly their
negativities outweigh the positive outcomes. They may be considered to be a
serious attempt to demonstrate India’s prowess in the world and particularly in
its neighbourhood.
India with a population of 1.2 billion has largest share of
world’s poorest (UN MDG 2014 report). With its largest rail network worldwide,
it is still grappling to address the issue of passengers. Stations are
thronged, trains are crowded; passengers still strive hard to get a seat in general
bogie, ticket booking through internet is hassled, scores of accidents, safety
issue for passengers especially women and modernisation are few issues of much
more concern.
The country is sitting on huge demographic dividend and to
reap its potential it need to invest largely in social sectors such as health
and education. Therefore, though bullet trains can be a long term priority, in
short and medium term the government should shift its focus to sustainable
development and inclusive growth.
