Surat : India’s first bullet train project is on track, with the 50-km stretch between Surat and Bilimora in Gujarat set to open in 2027, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday. The entire Mumbai-Ahmedabad section is expected to be operational by 2029.
Once running, the bullet train will cover the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route in just two hours and seven minutes, he added, highlighting the smooth progress of the project.
Vaishnaw visited the under-construction Surat bullet train station to inspect track installation and the first turnout setup. “The overall progress of the project is very good. The first 50-km section between Surat and Bilimora will open by 2027. By 2028, the Thane-Ahmedabad section will be commissioned, and by 2029, the full Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor will be operational,” he told reporters.
He noted that the main line will support speeds of up to 320 kmph, while the loop line is designed for 80 kmph. “We are using the most advanced technologies to ensure safe and efficient train operations. Special vibration-absorbing mechanisms have been installed so that the tracks can handle the train moving at 320 kmph,” Vaishnaw said.
The railway minister also pointed out additional safety features along the tracks designed to maintain stability during heavy winds or earthquakes.
He added that heavy construction work at Surat station is complete, with finishing and utility installations progressing alongside track link work. “Today, we installed the first turnout at Surat station. A turnout is where tracks either join or split. We are using new technologies here, such as roller bearings for track movement and composite-material sleepers,” he explained.
Vaishnaw emphasized the transformative impact of the project, saying it will integrate the economies of major cities between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, mirroring the economic boost Japan saw with its first bullet train.
He also outlined plans for future expansion: “We aim to start work on new corridors soon. As per our party manifesto, we plan three additional corridors in the north, one in the east, and one in the south. Mumbai-Ahmedabad represents the western corridor. Ultimately, we envision four bullet train corridors across the country.”
