India is a country with a large population and rapid economic development, but its infrastructure construction has been lagging behind the world level. Especially when it comes to urban mobility, India's metro system is nowhere near the size and efficiency of China. In order to improve this situation, the Indian government has vigorously promoted the construction of subway projects in various places in recent years, the most notable of which is the second phase of the Bangalore Metro project.
Bangalore is the tech capital of India and one of the largest IT hubs in Asia, known as the "Silicon Valley of Asia". However, the city's metro system is very backward, with only 40 kilometers in the first phase and 70 kilometers planned for the second phase, but the construction progress is very slow. The second phase of the project, which was originally scheduled to be completed in 2022, now looks like it will be postponed until at least 2024, if not longer.
The technical superiority of Chinese engineers
India's metro project needs the help of Chinese engineers, mainly because China has a wealth of experience and advanced technology in metro construction. China is the fastest, largest and best country in the world in terms of subway construction, and currently more than 40 cities have subway systems with a total mileage of more than 7,000 kilometers, accounting for more than one-third of the world's total. China's subways not only have wide coverage, but also operate efficiently, safely, and comfortably, and are popular among passengers.
China has an advantage not only in subway operation, but also in subway construction. China has the world's most advanced metro construction equipment and technology, especially shield machines and metro trains. The shield machine is a heavy machinery used to excavate underground tunnels and is a key piece of equipment in subway construction. China's shield machine technology has reached the world's leading level, which can adapt to various geological conditions and tunnel diameters, with fast excavation speed, high precision and high safety. China's EPBs have been exported to many countries and regions, including India.
The subway train is the core equipment of the subway operation and the "blood" of the subway. China's metro train technology has also reached the world-class level, with the characteristics of high speed, low noise, low energy consumption, high intelligence and high comfort. China's metro trains have been exported to many countries and regions, including India.
The reason why India's metro project needs the help of Chinese engineers is that Chinese engineers have mastered these advanced equipment and technologies, which can provide professional guidance and assistance for India's metro project, improve the quality and efficiency of the project, and reduce the cost and risk of the project.
Visa restrictions from the Government of India
Why didn't the Indian government grant visas to Chinese engineers? This was mainly because of the Indian government's hostility and suspicion of China. The Indian government has always regarded China as its biggest competitor and threat, and is worried that China will surpass itself economically, militarily, diplomatically, and affect its status and interests in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.
In recent years, the Indian government has taken a series of measures to confront and contain China, including provoking conflicts in border areas, banning Chinese applications and telecommunications equipment, restricting Chinese investment and trade, co-opting the United States, Japan, Australia and other countries to confront China, and withdrawing from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) advocated by China.
The Indian government's visa restrictions on Chinese engineers are also part of this confrontational and containment strategy. The Indian government is reluctant to involve Chinese engineers in India's infrastructure construction, fearing that Chinese engineers will steal India's technology and information, or leave backdoors and loopholes in India's infrastructure, threatening India's security and interests.
The Indian government is also reluctant to allow Chinese engineers to play a role in India's infrastructure construction, fearing that Chinese engineers will improve the level and efficiency of India's infrastructure, enhance the Indian people's goodwill and trust in China, and weaken the Indian government's hostility and resistance to China.
The Indian government's visa restrictions on Chinese engineers are in fact an act of self-imposed restrictions and self-harm. The Indian government has not only ignored the contribution and value of Chinese engineers to India's metro project, but also ignored the needs and expectations of the Indian people for metro engineering. The visa restrictions imposed by the Indian government have not only affected the normal work of Chinese engineers, but also the normal progress of the Indian metro project.
The impact of metro engineering in India
What impact will the absence of Chinese engineers have on India's metro project? It depends on whether the Indian government can resolve the visa issue in a timely manner so that the Chinese engineers can return to work as soon as possible. If the Indian government can put aside prejudices and prejudices and give Chinese engineers the respect and trust they deserve, then there is hope that the Indian metro project will be completed on time or ahead of schedule, bringing improvement and convenience to India's urban transportation.
If the Indian government continues to delay and obstruct Chinese engineers from working properly, then the Indian metro project will face greater difficulties and risks, which may lead to serious consequences such as construction delays, quality declines, increased costs, and safety hazards.
According to Indian media reports, the first train of the Bengaluru Metro Phase II project has arrived in India from China in November 2023, but it cannot be tested and operated due to the absence of Chinese engineers. This means that the train will be idle in India, wasting time and resources, and the Indian people will not be able to enjoy the convenience and comfort brought by the subway.
At the same time, the remaining trains of the Bengaluru Metro Phase II project are still being manufactured by the Chinese Titaga, which also needs the guidance and assistance of Chinese engineers. If Chinese engineers are unable to make it to India in time, the manufacture of these trains will also suffer, potentially leading to delays in delivery or substandard quality.
epilogue
The Indian metro project is an important part of India's urban construction and an important driving force for India's economic and social development. The success of India's metro project is not only related to India's national image and international status, but also related to the quality of life and happiness of the Indian people. It is an indisputable fact that India's metro project needs the help of Chinese engineers, and it is also a favorable opportunity. The Indian government should seize this opportunity to establish a good cooperative relationship with Chinese engineers, instead of imposing unreasonable visa restrictions on Chinese engineers for political and ideological reasons, thereby affecting the progress and effectiveness of the Indian metro project.