Aim to run bullet train by 2023: Suresh Prabhu

India's first railway university to be set up at Vadodara in Gujarat

With work on full swing for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, the government is aiming at running the prestigious train by 2023, Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu said on Tuesday.

Prabhu, who was in Mehsana to lay foundation stone for several railway projects in Gujarat, said "Our full concentration is on Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and we are trying to complete the project and run the train by 2023.

On Tuesday, Prabhu inaugurated several railway projects including electrification and gauge conversion of Ahmedabad-Mehsana track as well as a third line between Ahmedabad and Vatva.

As announced during the budget, Prabhu reiterated the fact that the government was setting up a university in Vadodara. "We have decided to set up country's first railway university in Gujarat at Vadodara in the coming days. Currently 35 different projects are going on in the state including modernisation of Surat and Gandhinagar railway stations," Prabhu said.

Among the projects inaugurated on Tuesday included Mehsana-Tarangahill gauge conversion project, Modasa-Shamalaji new line, Bhuj-Naliya gauge conversion, Somnath-Kodinar new line, Miyagam-Samlaya gauge conversion and Surendranagar-Rajkot doubling of railway line was also announced at this event.

"We are considering to develop Indian railway by joining hands with states. Public support is necessary for any development and so far people are happy with our work," Prabhu further said.

According to Prabhu, Mehsana is known for milk, cotton and oil trade across India and gauge conversion of Ahmedabad-Mehsana route will help to improve trade from here.

After the foundation laying ceremony, Prabhu interacted with local leaders and party workers of Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Patan, Banaskantha and Sabarkantha district. Prabhu also attended 'Vikas Parv Sammelan' in Mehsana,