PUNE: The performance of the ambitious bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will be a deciding factor for a similar line between Mumbai and Pune, senior railway officials have said.“The first bullet train, as announced, will run between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with the project expected to be completed by 2023. The railway board is conducting a survey of other lines and routes on which the same can run. Some other routes spanning a total of 4,100 kms, include Mumbai-Pune, Delhi-Chandigarh, etc. However, the success of the project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will be the deciding factor when it comes to other routes on which the train can be introduced,” an official at the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited, told TOI.The official added that quite a few factors need to be considered for such a huge project. “If one sees that the performance of the ambitious project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is satisfactory in all aspects, the project will surely enter its second phase. At this moment, we can say that everything will depend on the first route . However, it is a fact that surveys for other routes are being conducted,” the official explained.During earlier talks, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that three cities from the state were expected to undergo a rail network revamp as part of the union government’s plan to start fast train corridors. Fadnavis had said that the centre was ready to consider the development of the Mumbai-Nashik-Nagpur fast-train corridor. In reply to a text message sent by TOI on the possibility of the centre’s bullet train project, including Pune and Nashik, he stated, “Not as yet. But the union government is ready to consider Mumbai-Nashik-Nagpur fast corridor in lieu of that.”Railway sources said that while extending the project to routes was a good idea, the profitability factor was very important. “One needs to look at the feasibility and profitability aspects too. While the bullet train is required and can be a game changer, such projects are big and will require a lot of investments going in. If at all it is observed, analysed and decided that only one route for the project is enough, the project will stand there, and vice versa. A decision to just announce five to six routes for the project cannot be made without proper studies. The success of the first project will clear the route for the rest,” another official pointed out.Harsha Shah, a popular railway activist and the president of Railway Pravasi Group shared that high speed trains are a necessity. “Back in 2006, the idea of a high speed rail corridor between Mumbai and Pune had been considered but then it was put on the back burner. Commuting between Pune and Mumbai is always troublesome and consumes a lot of time. I do think that the government should seriously consider the route and finalize it,” Shah said.