Japan keen on hi-speed freight train between Bangalore and Ennore

Our Bureau Updated - February 14, 2012 at 09:10 PM.

Mr Shinya Fujii

Japan will soon undertake a feasibility of the Chennai-Bangalore industrial corridor project, as agreed by the Prime Ministers of India and Japan last year.

Japan, however, is quite keen on facilitating a dedicated high-speed freight train linkage between Bangalore and Ennore Port, 25 km north of Chennai, Mr Shinya Fujii, Director General, Japan External Trade Organisation, Chennai (JETRO), said on Tuesday.

Delegation visit

Talking to journalists on the sidelines of a meeting of a visiting Japanese delegation and the members of the Confederation of Indian Industry here, Mr Fujii said that while the State Governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were keen on passenger (bullet) train connection between Chennai and Bangalore, Japan, however, is more keen on two projects – the dedicated high speed freight line and a highway.

feasibility study

A detailed feasibility study, which will begin in April, he said.

This is the first time that an idea of connecting Bangalore to Ennore Port directly is being made public.

Earlier, talks were revolving around an industrial corridor between Chennai and Bangalore, but not to the Ennore Port directly.

A JETRO business delegation on renewable energy and environment consisting of representatives of nine Japanese companies is currently touring Chennai.

mramesh@thehindu.co.in

Published on February 14, 2012 15:40