India's first bullet train set to roll out in 2026, says Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, undertaken by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), is estimated to cost Rs 1.08 lakh crore. Representational picture

In a significant announcement at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that India's first bullet train is poised to commence operations by 2026. Vaishnaw announced that the inaugural bullet train service is scheduled to operate between Surat and Bilimora.

"We plan to run the first bullet train between Surat and Bilimora in 2026,” Vaishnaw said at the 2024 Vibrant Gujarat Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Vaishnaw provided an update on the progress of the ambitious project, highlighting that 270 km of groundwork for the bullet train has already been completed. He emphasised the successful installation of a 270 km long wire duct and assured that the project is proceeding according to the designated timeline.

"270-km-long wire duct has been put in place. Work is going on as per schedule. The work of the Mumbai-Thane under-sea tunnel has also begun. The construction of bridges on eight rivers that will lie on the route is going on rapidly. Two bridges have already been completed. The work on Sabarmati terminal station is also nearly completed," Vaishnaw added.

Land acquisition milestone

On January 8, the Ministry of Railways announced the successful attainment of 100 percent land acquisition for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Rail Corridor, commonly referred to as the bullet train project, spanning Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train: Rs 1.08 lakh crore project

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, undertaken by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), is estimated to cost Rs 1.08 lakh crore. The financial structure involves the Union government contributing Rs 10,000 crore, and Gujarat and Maharashtra each contributing Rs 5,000 crore, with the remaining funds secured through a 0.1 percent interest loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Initiated with the foundation stone laid in Ahmedabad in September 2017, the ambitious project aims to cover a distance exceeding 500 km in approximately two hours. Implementing Japan's Shinkansen technology, the high-speed rail line aspires to establish an efficient and high-frequency mass transportation system.

Originally projected for completion in 2022, the timeline faced delays due to challenges in land acquisition. The government is now targeting the commencement of the first phase, connecting Surat and Bilimora in south Gujarat, by the year 2026.