South East Asia first high speed railway launch

Subject: Science and Technology

Section: Msc

More about the news:

Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway connecting Jakarta and Bandung, a project under China’s Belt and Road initiative.
Despite delays and cost increases, the $7.3 billion railway, largely funded by China, will reduce travel time from 3 hours to 40 minutes.
It’s expected to cut carbon emissions and promote efficient mass transportation.
Widodo named it “Whoosh” which stands for ‘Waktu Hemat, Operasi Optimal, SistemHandal‘and emphasized its modernization and environmental benefits.
The rail deal was signed in October 2015 after Indonesia selected China over Japan in fierce bidding.
It was financed with a loan from the China Development Bank for 75% of the cost. The remaining 25% came from the consortium’s own funds.
The project is part of a planned 750-kilometer (466-mile) high-speed train line that would cut across four provinces on Indonesia’s main island of Java and end in the country’s second-largest city, Surabaya.
The project faced disputes but aims to transfer technology to Indonesia for future domestic high-speed train production.

Some facts about Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR):

The plan for the 508km MAHSR corridor was first set into motion in 2013 by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to Japan.
In 2014, a study was commissioned, and the final report was submitted in July 2015 by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
The Union cabinet approved the project in December 2015.
The Shinkansen high-speed technology will be used in this train.
“National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited”, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been formed for the implementation of this project.
It will connect Gujarat’s capital with India’s financial capital, Mumbai.
It will pass through three districts in Maharashtra, eight in Gujarat and will cut through Dadra and Nagar Haveli.