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P Chidambaram criticises bullet train project, calls it demonetisation-like move that ‘will kill everything else’

The bullet train project, linking Mumbai and Ahmedabad, is not for ordinary people but an "ego trip for the high and mighty", he alleged.

p chidambaram, congress leader p chidambaram, bullet train project, bullet train, mumbai ahmedabad bullet train, mumbai, india news, indian express news P Chidambaram. (File Photo)

Congress leader P Chidambaram criticised the bullet train project on Saturday, saying it will be a demonetisation-like move “which will kill everything else”, and suggested that the money should instead be spent on improving rail safety. The former finance minister’s comments come a day after a stampede on a footbridge connecting Mumbai’s suburban railway stations of Parel and Elphinstone claimed 22 lives.

The bullet train project, linking Mumbai and Ahmedabad, is not for ordinary people but an “ego trip for the high and mighty”, he alleged. Chidambaram also suggested that Railway Minister Piyush Goyal should instead use the Rs one lakh crore meant for the project for ensuring railway safety in the country.

“Bullet train will be like demonetisation. It will kill everything else including safety,” he tweeted. “Railway Minister may take pledge on day after. Rs one lakh crore for rail safety, track upgrading, signalling and not for bullet train,” Chidambaram added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe had on September 14 laid the foundation stone for India’s first bullet train between the two cities. The Rs 1.10 lakh-crore project is expected to be completed by 2022. The train would cover a distance of over 500 km in around two hours.

First uploaded on: 30-09-2017 at 15:32 IST
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