Bullet train: Godrej’s second plot option gets NHSRCL’S approval

IN MARCH, NHSRCL, THE EXECUTING AUTHORITY FOR THE PROJECT, STARTED TO ACQUIRE 39,540 SQFT OF GODREJ LAND AT VIKHROLI

MUMBAI : In a fillip to the Mumbai-ahmedabad bullet train project, the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) told the Bombay high court (HC) on Tuesday that they have in-principle accepted the second site offered by Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Company to house the ventilation shaft and distribution and traction sub-stations of the train.

In March, NHSRCL, the executing authority, started to acquire 39,540 sqft of Godrej land at Vikhroli. Objecting to the acquisition, the company moved HC. Meanwhile, it started correspondence with the authority and offered them an alternative plot in Vikhroli instead. The NHSRCL, however, rejected the offer as the title was not clear. Advocate TJ Pandian, who represented the NHSRCL, told a division bench of justice Naresh Patil and justice Girish Kulkarni the site was not acceptable primarily because it was embroiled in litigation. Besides, about 2,941sqm of the earlier plot was covered by mangroves, he said.

On July 19, Godrej suggested the second alternative, which is 215m to the west of the earlier one and along the alignment of the high-speed rail track. According to the affidavit filed by Uday Prasad Singh, chief project manager of the project, NHSRCL officers visited the site and found it suitable. The authority has, however, made some minor changes to the alignment and Godrej’s proposal, and is awaiting the company’s response.

The court has now posted the petition for further hearing on September 3, when the company is likely to inform its decision to the court.