Indian Railways have initiated action to study the feasibility of introducing a bullet train between Hyderabad and Chennai.

The Railways have asked the consortium of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Oriental Consultants, Parsons Brinckerhoff India Pvt Ltd (PB) to take up a study on the proposed project and submit a report with in seven months.

The consortium of the three organizations will immediately launch its study on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada-Chennai railway corridor covering a distance of 664 km. The study will cost the Railways an amount of Rs.3.5 Cr.

JETRO is a Japanese government organization and is behind the introduction of bullet trains in Japan and in some other countries, according to a railway ministry official in Delhi.

Japan has many high speed bullet trains which operate at a speed of up to 300 km per hour. The trains are known for their punctuality, comfort, safety and efficiency.

The Japanese consortium has bagged the study project amid tough competition which saw the participation of 13 bidders from Korea, France, UK and Spain. The railways have also awarded study contracts on the possibility of introducing bullet trains on three more routes in the country. The high speed rail projects will be executed through PPP mode. (JUBS)