- JICA India Chief satisfied with Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train progress.
- PM Gati Shakti plan accelerates public works.
- JICA keen on enhancing border roads in the Himalayan region.
- Progress on the undersea tunneling work between Mumbai and Thane.
- Interest in funding power transmission projects with Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
- India and Nepal sign 10,000 MW electricity export agreement.
- Bangladesh submits draft proposal for Nepal’s power export.
- JICA emphasizes India’s pivotal role in transnational power transmissio
JICA Accelerating Infrastructure Development with PM Gati Shakti Plan :
Saito Mitsunori, Chief Representative of JICA India, expressed pleasure with the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project. In an interview with PTI, Mitsunori emphasised the good impact of the PM Gati Shakti plan on accelerating public works in India. He emphasised that the clear project concept and efficient government processes have resulted in considerable reductions in delays and costs.
JICA’s Role in India’s Infrastructure Landscape :
JICA, a key finance partner for India’s major infrastructure projects, has helped support initiatives such as metro developments in Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Delhi. Mitsunori hailed the success of the PM Gati Shakti Plan, which was announced in 2021 and intends to build multimodal connectivity infrastructure in various economic zones around the country.
Optimism Surrounds the Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Corridor :
When discussing the Ahmedabad-Mumbai High-Speed Corridor, Mitsunori expressed enthusiasm for the start of work on all sections. He underlined the substantial progress made, including the start of submarine tunnelling between Mumbai and Thane. The chief of JICA India praised the Maharashtra government’s decision to begin bidding works, which has contributed to the project’s speedy and steady advancement.
ICA is interested in border road networks and transnational power transmission :
Beyond the bullet train project, JICA has expressed an interest in improving India’s border road networks. Mitsunori emphasised the agency’s commitment to developing high-quality and durable roads in the Himalayan region, highlighting the sad tunnel disaster in Uttarakhand.
Exploring Transnational Power Transmission Projects :
JICA is aggressively seeking partnership on transnational power transmission projects involving Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Mitsunori stated that the agency is very interested in sponsoring projects that connect these countries and expressed hope that India will play an important role in such endeavours. While conversations with Nepal and Bhutan are ongoing, a Japanese official expressed disappointment with the lengthy decision-making process in trilateral and multilateral frameworks for power projects.
Progress on Power Connectivity in the Region :
India and Nepal have officially signed an agreement to sell 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Nepal to India over the next decade. Additionally, Bangladesh has submitted a draft Request for Proposal to Nepal, indicating substantial progress towards a tripartite deal for Nepal’s first power export to Bangladesh.
Promoting Collaboration for a Connected and Efficient Future :
In conclusion, JICA India, under Saito Mitsunori’s leadership, remains committed to promoting relationships that contribute to India’s infrastructure development. The agency’s involvement in significant projects, as well as its interest in cross-border efforts, highlight the necessity of international collaboration in ensuring the region’s connectivity and efficiency.