People keen to become drivers on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet trains, which will be capable of speeds of up to 350kmph once they become operational in 2023, will benefit from knowing Japanese besides other qualifications because they will be trained in Japan where most of the instructors don't speak English.
Achal Khare, the managing director of National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL), which is executing the bullet train project in India, says they haven't yet decided on this aspect but it will be part of the criteria when they start selecting drivers for the prestigious project.
"Knowledge of the Japanese language is important because the drivers will be learning from the Japanese and they don't know English. If there are communication issues, how will they learn?" says Khare.
NHSRCL has started imparting Japanese language training to select staff, including engineers, who interact with visiting Japanese delegates.
The minimum education qualification of a bullet train driver is likely to be a Bachelor's degree. Initially, NHSRCL will hire 56 drivers and 50 station masters.
"A total of 360 people, including drivers, station masters, track and signal maintainers will be sent to Japan for training in the next two to three years," says Khare.
Another NHSRCL official said the hiring process will start by end of 2019 and the training in Japan will start thereafter and will range from three months to nine months.
There will be 35 hi-tech bullet trains each having 10 coaches – one business and nine standard – which will offer passenger amenities on par with what is available in advanced countries.
Initially, these trains will run on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. Fares will range from as low as Rs 250 to a high of Rs 3,000. Acquisition of land for the 508-km long corridor is in progress.
