Bullet Train Work Wreaks Havoc on Dahanu Farms, Say Locals
While India gears up for its first bullet train connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad, farmers in Dahanu are reeling under the unintended consequences of the ambitious project. Several farmers from Chari village near Dahanu have reported significant crop losses due to alleged negligence by local contractors working on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor. Despite multiple complaints, they claim their grievances have gone unheard.
One of the most affected farmers, 59-year-old, a former photojournalist-turned-farmer, has been struggling to protect his land from stray cattle and trespassers after contractors damaged his farm’s fencing. “I am not against the bullet train or technological progress, but reckless execution is destroying our livelihoods. Seventeen cement poles and six barbed wire coils on my farm have been broken, allowing cattle to enter and ruin my banana, corn, and mulberry plantations. I have already lost a quarter of an acre of Tuwar crops and my entire Ambadi plantation,” he lamented.
A farmer first filed a complaint in July 2024 and sent a reminder in January 2025, yet the damage persisted. His neighbour, a 75-year-old farmer, has also been unable to cultivate his land due to construction debris dumped by contractors. “My boundary wall has been completely destroyed, and my field is now exposed. Stray cattle roam freely, and even bullet train workers use the land for rest, often leaving behind garbage,” another farmer explained. The NHSRCL’s Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, spanning 508 km, promises to revolutionise travel between Maharashtra and Gujarat. The high-speed train, running at 320 km/h, will cut travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to just over two hours, with major stops at Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad. However, for farmers in Dahanu, the project has so far brought more distress than development.
After media reports highlighted the issue, NHSRCL officials responded, stating that they aim to ensure minimal inconvenience to residents. “A special team of senior officials has visited Chari village and surrounding areas to assess and repair the damage. All broken fences and borders have been mended,” an NHSRCL spokesperson assured. While these corrective measures provide some relief, affected farmers remain sceptical about long-term accountability. They urge authorities to enforce stricter monitoring of contractors and ensure that the infrastructure project does not come at the cost of local livelihoods.
