Ex-Japan minister blames Indian minister for Bullet Train delays, MEA hits back

A former Japanese minister has blamed an unnamed Indian minister for significant delays in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, triggering a sharp response from India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Tomomi Inada, who served as Japan's Minister of State for the Shinkansen (bullet train) during the project's early negotiations, did not hold back in a recent interview with Japanese media. She described the Indian counterpart as 'awful' and accused India of 'sheer recklessness' in handling the ambitious high-speed rail corridor.

Accusation of 'Sheer Recklessness'

Inada's comments, widely reported by Indian media outlets on Friday, pointed to what she called a 'reckless' approach by a specific Indian minister. She claimed this individual's actions or inactions were the primary cause of repeated delays in what is India's first bullet train project.

The former minister did not name the Indian official in her remarks, but her criticism was direct. She suggested that the Indian side lacked the urgency and coordination required for a project of this scale, which uses Japan's famed Shinkansen technology.

MEA Fires Back: 'Progressing Well'

India's Ministry of External Affairs was quick to respond. In a statement, the MEA rejected Inada's characterisation, asserting that the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project is 'progressing well' and remains on track for its planned 2027 launch.

The MEA's pushback was firm, with officials pointing to the significant physical progress made on the ground. They highlighted that several bridge works and tunnelling activities are underway, and that land acquisition issues, once a major hurdle, have largely been resolved.

This diplomatic back-and-forth underscores the high stakes of a project that is a flagship symbol of India-Japan strategic ties.

Ground Reality: Progress and Hurdles

While the MEA projects confidence, reports from the ground indicate a mixed picture. The bullet train project, first announced in 2015, was originally slated for completion by 2023. That deadline has been pushed back, with the current target being 2027 for the entire corridor.

Land acquisition in Maharashtra, particularly in the Thane and Palghar districts, had been a significant bottleneck. Protests from farmers and local communities over compensation packages slowed the process considerably. Officials now say 99% of the required land has been acquired, but construction in several patches remains delayed.

The financial aspects are also under scrutiny. The project's cost has escalated from the initial estimate of Rs 1.08 lakh crore. Japan has provided a soft loan of Rs 79,000 crore at a nominal interest rate, but any further delays could trigger cost overruns and renegotiations.

Japan's E10 Plan and Future Outlook

In her interview, Inada also referenced Japan's next-generation E10 Shinkansen plan, which is expected to be faster and more energy-efficient. While she did not directly link it to the Indian project, her mention of it has led to speculation about Japan's long-term commitment to the Indian network.

Japanese officials have consistently maintained their support for the project, but there is growing impatience within Tokyo over the pace of implementation. The E10 plan represents the future of high-speed rail in Japan, and some analysts wonder if India might eventually be offered this newer technology for subsequent phases of its high-speed rail network.

The exchange between Inada and the MEA is unlikely to be the last. The project is a test of India's ability to execute large-scale infrastructure projects with foreign partners. For now, both sides are publicly committed, but the finger-pointing reveals underlying tensions.

All eyes will now be on whether the 2027 deadline holds. Any further delays could damage India's credibility as a destination for high-tech infrastructure investment, while a successful launch would be a major diplomatic and engineering achievement.