BULLET TRAIN RUNS INTO GODREJ HUMP

THE BJP GOVERNMENT WAS LEAST EXPECTING THE GODREJ GROUP TO OPPOSE THE LAND ACQUISITION FOR THE PROJECT

In what can probably block the nation’s first ever bullet train, the Godrej group, in an ‘unusual’ move, has dragged the Union and Maharashtra governments to the Bombay High Court.

The group has opposed the current alignment of the 508 km stretch of the train which was supposed to connect Ahmedabad to Mumbai.

This would come as a setback for the dream project of prime minister. Already, even before commencement of work, it had run into opposition from farmers and tribals -- both in Gujarat and Maharashtra. But it was least expecting the Godrej group to oppose the land acquisition by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited.

The group through its subsidiary – Godrej And Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. -- has filed a writ petition before a division bench of Justices Naresh Patil and Girish Kulkarni seeking realignment of the bullet train.

According to the plea, the bullet train would pass through its ‘prime’ plot in Vikhroli. The group has sought realignment to ensure that its nearly 8 acre plot is not acquired by the NHSRCL for the project. The group has accordingly sought a change in the route demarcated for the bullet train.

In the previous hearing before Justice Patil, the counsel for NHSRCL had informed the bench of a proposal of the group to hand over an ‘alternate’ land for the bullet train. The NHSRCL accordingly sought an adjournment and the matter was posted for further hearing on July 31.

It is learnt that the group has offered to hand over its other plot, which is bang opposite the present plot, which the government has been eyeing for the project. However, a portion of the ‘alternate’ plot, according to sources, falls under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).

The group is, however, yet to submit its official proposal to the NHSRCL.

The bullet train is expected to reduce the travel time between Ahmedabad and Mumbai from seven to three hours. The project’s foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the president of Japan, Shinzo Abe, in September last year.