When we talk about bullet trains, Japan is the first country that always comes to mind. However, this is about to change as India is all set to launch its first bullet train on August 15, 2027! The announcement was made by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who shared updates during a media briefing in New Delhi. The bullet train project, connecting Ahmedabad and Mumbai, is currently under construction.
The project will operate in stages, starting with the stretch from Surat to Bilimora, followed by the segment from Vapi to Surat, and then onto Vapi to Ahmedabad. Finally, services will extend to the Thane – Ahmedabad route, completing the entire Mumbai – Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor in the last phase.
India’s First Bullet Train Project Spans 508 Kilometers
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project spans 508 kilometers and will feature 12 stations, including Mumbai, Thane, Vapi, Surat, and Ahmedabad, among others. The total cost for this ambitious project is estimated at around INR 1,08,000 crores, with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) contributing 81% of the funding, which amounts to approximately INR 88,000 crores.
The Ministry of Railways aims to finish the MAHSR project by December 2029. Once operational, the train will cut the travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad down to just 2 hours and 7 minutes (127 minutes). Significant progress has already been made, including the completion of 330 kilometers of elevated viaduct and various bridges.
Also Read: India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train To Run Between Guwahati-Howrah
Additionally, more than 4.7 lakh noise barriers have been installed, and work on seven mountain tunnels in the Palghar district is ongoing. Construction is also progressing on rolling stock depots in Surat and Ahmedabad, with superstructure work at all stations in Gujarat in an advanced stage.
