Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train: Civil works on Surat-Bilimora section fully done, 2027 launch on track

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The work on India’s first bullet train corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is progressing rapidly, with officials saying that key parts of the project are now in advanced stages.

The 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor will connect Maharashtra, Gujarat and the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli once completed. The project is being executed by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL), which has been pushing construction at full pace.

According to the latest update, the 47-km priority stretch between Surat and Bilimora has seen major progress. All civil construction on this section, including piers, girders and the track-bed, has already been completed.

The Railway Ministry said the project has been designed using advanced engineering techniques that match international standards. A large portion of the route, around 465 km, or nearly 85%, is being built on elevated viaducts, The Indian Express reported.

Officials said that out of the total viaduct length, 326 km has been completed. Work on river bridges is also moving ahead, with 17 out of 25 bridges already constructed. The government aims to make the Surat–Bilimora section operational by 2027, allowing the first glimpse of India’s bullet train operations before the entire corridor is ready.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has earlier stated that the full Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is targeted for completion by December 2029. He also said services are expected to reach Thane by 2028 and Mumbai by 2029.

The high-speed rail route will feature 12 stations, namely Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the under-construction Surat bullet train station. The station’s design is inspired from Surat’s famous diamond industry, combining modern aesthetics with practical features. It will include large waiting lounges, restrooms, retail spaces and smooth connectivity to the Surat Metro, local buses and the existing railway network.