When you think of bullet trains, countries like Japan and China typically come to mind. However, in the near future, India will also be recognized for its bullet trains, as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project is expected to be completed by 2028. This announcement was made by Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, on Monday, April 28, 2025.
In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Chief Minister Fadnavis mentioned that construction for the Gujarat section of the bullet train is progressing well. After initially falling behind schedule, the project is now on track to finish by 2028. He also added that the bullet train will connect to Vadhvan. During the state’s annual Budget presentation, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stated that a station for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train will be situated close to Vadhvan port.
Once operational, the 508-km bullet train line is expected to cut travel time between Ahmedabad and Mumbai down to about three hours, compared to the current six to eight hours. The first trial run for the bullet train is planned for a 50-kilometer section between Surat and Bilimora in South Gujarat in 2026.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Will Have 12 Stations
The corridor will feature 12 stations, with the one in Mumbai being underground, while the others in Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati will be elevated.
Additionally, Japan has agreed to provide two advanced Shinkansen trains, the E5 and E3 series, for trial runs in India. These trains will be crucial for developing the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor (MAHSR). By early 2026, India will receive one train from each series for testing and evaluation.
The donated Shinkansen trains will help collect important data on environmental issues in India, such as extreme heat and dust. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project is a significant part of India’s infrastructure development, and using these Japanese trains will offer valuable insights into how the system operates in local conditions, as reported by the Japan Times.
