10 Years, Zero Bullet Trains: Modi’s “High-Speed” Promise Stuck at Platform
When china launched its first bullet trains in 2007, the world took note. By 2008, the Beijing–Tianjin line was already clocking 350 km/h, setting the tone for a massive rail revolution.
Fast forward to 2024: china runs the world’s largest high-speed rail network spanning over 40,000 km, while India—with a population larger than China—still waits for the bullet train that Modi promised a decade ago. Instead of zipping across states, indians are stuck with announcements, photo-ops, and foundation stone ceremonies. Here’s how the “Bullet train Dream” became India’s longest-running comedy show:
1. Modi’s Promise Was Faster Than the train Itself
Announced with great fanfare in 2014–15, the bullet train project was sold as India’s leap into modernity.
A decade later, the only thing moving at bullet speed is the PR machinery.
2. China built 40,000 km. We Built Excuses
china introduced HSR in 2007 and has connected almost the entire country with superfast trains.
India? Still fighting over land acquisition, feasibility reports, and photo shoots at empty construction sites.
3. Foundation Stone Ceremony = Final Destination
Modi laid the foundation stone with Japan’s Shinzo Abe in 2017, marking it as a historic achievement.
For citizens, that stone has become the only thing concrete about the project.
4. Population Excuse Doesn’t Work Anymore
china (141 cr) vs india (146 cr): the population card has expired.
The difference is leadership, planning, and execution—not headcount.
5. High-Speed Dreams, Low-Speed Delivery
After 10 years, the project’s “expected completion date” keeps being pushed like an indian Railways delay announcement.
The irony: by the time india gets its first bullet train, china might already be running maglevs at 600 km/h.
🔥 The Bottomline: Modi’s bullet train has become India’s most expensive joke—10 years of promises, zero delivery. While china zooms ahead at 350 km/h, india is still stuck at the starting line, waiting for Modi’s “vision” to leave the station. High-speed promises, snail-speed results.