Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train: Surat–Bilimora section to open by 2027, fully operational by 2029

Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train: Surat–Bilimora section to open by 2027, fully operational by 2029

India’s first high-speed rail project, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, is making steady progress and is set to begin operations in phases, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday.

The minister, who reviewed construction work at the upcoming Surat station, announced that the 50-km stretch between Surat and Bilimora in Gujarat will be commissioned by 2027.

“By 2028, the Thane–Ahmedabad section will also open, and the entire 508-km corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will become operational by 2029,” Vaishnaw said.

Once commissioned, the bullet train will cut travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to just 2 hours and 7 minutes, compared to the current 6–7 hours by conventional trains.

Designed for speeds of up to 320 kmph, the corridor incorporates advanced safety measures, including earthquake-resilient structures, vibration absorption mechanisms, and systems to withstand high winds. Loop lines along the corridor will allow trains to operate at speeds of up to 80 kmph for station approaches and halts.

Vaishnaw highlighted key construction milestones, including the installation of the first turnout, where tracks diverge or merge, using advanced roller bearings and composite sleepers for enhanced durability. He noted that heavy civil work at Surat station is largely complete, with finishing, utilities, and track-linking underway.

The minister underscored the project’s transformative potential, saying it would not only connect Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad more efficiently but also drive regional economic integration and urban development. He drew parallels with Japan’s Shinkansen system, which has spurred industrial growth and urbanisation around high-speed corridors.

Additionally, Vaishnaw said that the government is considering four more high-speed rail corridors across the country, as promised in the BJP’s election manifesto.

The Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project, being executed with technical and financial assistance from Japan, is regarded as a flagship initiative to modernise India’s transport infrastructure.