Which country comes to your mind when you hear about bullet trains? Japan, right? But what if we tell you that soon you will be experiencing the speed, facility, and luxury of traveling in a bullet train in India? The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) is making significant progress on the construction of India’s first bullet train corridor. The first section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train, the Surat-Bilimora section, will be operational by December 2027.
This update comes two days after the significant breakthrough achieved with the completion of a 5 km tunnel between Ghansoli and Shilphata. Here are some more important updates.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train: Latest News
The bullet train construction began in February 2021 after initial delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The train that will run on this corridor is Japan’s latest Shinkansen E10 high-speed train.
In an interaction with the media, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared several important updates on India’s first high-speed train. Along with the Surat-Bilimora stretch update, he also mentioned that the Thane section is expected to be ready in 2028, and the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) station by 2029.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train And Vande Bharat Trains
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated that Vande Bharat trains will not operate on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw clarified that bullet trains and Vande Bharat Express function on entirely different platforms.
The government and railway authorities made this decision after considering the technical requirements for safety, speed, and passenger experience.
The Vande Bharat Express, India’s indigenous semi-high-speed train, currently connects Mumbai and Ahmedabad in about 5-6 hours at a speed of up to 130-180 km/h, significantly slower than the bullet train’s expected 320-350 km/h speed.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Tunnel Excavation
Excavation of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train tunnel reached a major milestone on September 20, 2025, with the completion of a 4.88 km-long section between Ghansoli and Shilphata in Maharashtra.
This segment is part of the ambitious 21 km tunnel connecting Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai with Shilphata, featuring a 7 km stretch beneath the Thane Creek, making it India’s longest rail tunnel and the first to include an undersea segment.
Ashwini Vaishnaw also addressed concerns from residents affected by tunnel work. The minister assured that thorough surveys have been conducted and precautions will be taken to protect homes in proximity to worksites.
🚄 Major milestone for the Bullet Train Project!
Breakthrough achieved in the 4.88 km section of Bharat’s first undersea tunnel under Thane Creek. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/g002aF2Oa5— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) September 20, 2025
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Travel Time
Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor will feature Japanese Shinkansen E-10 trains. These bullet trains will run at a speed of up to 320-350 km/h. This will reduce the Mumbai-Ahmedabad travel time to just over 2 hours, as compared to the current 9 hours by road.
There will initially be a train every 30 minutes during peak hours, eventually increasing to one every 10 minutes as demand grows.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Ticket Price
Vaishnaw assured that fares will be affordable. The minister emphasized that the pricing will be designed to make high-speed rail accessible and attractive to regular passengers, especially the middle class.
The fare will be less than what one pays to fly to Ahmedabad in a flight, and the facilities will also be really good. Final fares will only be confirmed after project completion and commencement of ticket sales.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Route
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train route covers approximately 508 kilometers, connecting Maharashtra and Gujarat and passing through the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The corridor starts from Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai and includes 12 stations along the route:
- Mumbai (BKC), Maharashtra
- Thane, Maharashtra
- Virar, Palghar district, Maharashtra
- Boisar, Palghar district, Maharashtra
- Vapi, Gujarat
- Bilimora, Navsari district, Gujarat
- Surat, Gujarat
- Bharuch, Gujarat
- Vadodara, Gujarat
- Anand/Nadiad, Gujarat
- Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Sabarmati, Gujarat
Summing Up
One of India’s most ambitious projects, this bullet train is expected to be completely operational by 2029. The project represents a major leap in India’s transportation infrastructure, offering fast, safe, and comfortable travel. It will also foster economic growth and connectivity in the region.
