Japan to extend technical assistance for building Bullet Train Stations in India

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Record of Discussions with the Government of the Republic of India in Delhi for the Project for Station Area Development (SAD) Along Selected Stations of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project, a technical cooperation project.

The project aims to enhance the capacity of state governments, municipal corporations, urban development authorities, and National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited to plan the development of areas surrounding MAHSR stations. The project will contribute to the achievement of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) Goal 11 (Sustainable cities and communities).

The Project for Construction of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail, funded by an ODA loan, aims to realize efficient passenger transport by enhancing transport capacity. It will do so through the construction of train tracks, the development of a signal/communication system, and the introduction of high-speed rail cars. In order for passengers to use MAHSR more efficiently, it is necessary to carry out urban development centered on high-speed rail stations that improve access not only to the stations themselves but to other modes of transport as well as to commercial areas.

Therefore, the project will assist in the formulation of development plans for the four stations designated as model stations and will help improve India’s future ability to formulate such plans by preparing a Station Area Development Handbook.

The objectives of this cooperation agreement are:

1. To enhance the knowledge of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and SAD by officials from MoR, MoHUA, state governments, municipal corporations, and urban authorities through seminars and training in Japan and other countries.
2. To prepare station area development plans for four stations, namely Thane, Virar, Surat and Sabarmati, including revision of macro-level or higher-level urban plans.
3. To prepare a Station Area Development handbook containing experiences and methodologies adopted in Japan, India, and other countries for TOD and SAD.