Overview
- Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Lok Sabha that ₹86,939 crore has been spent on the 508‑km corridor, which is designed with Japanese technical support for Indian conditions.
- The ministry said a definitive project cost cannot yet be determined, with a previously cited overall estimate around ₹1.98 trillion pending completion of civil and systems works and trainset supply.
- Railway Board chief Satish Kumar has indicated the project may see a partial opening next year, subject to progress on remaining works.
- Engineering milestones include about 4.8 km of a planned 21‑km under‑sea tunnel completed, 17 river bridges finished, and depot and station construction under way.
- Officials report all required land—about 1,389.5 hectares—has been acquired with statutory clearances secured, while Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman blamed the earlier MVA government for delays tied to late land handover.