Bhavnagar: In a significant development for India’s transport infrastructure, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has confirmed that the country’s first bullet train—connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad—will commence operations “very soon.” The high-speed train will drastically cut travel time between the two cities to just 2 hours and 7 minutes, offering a faster and more efficient alternative to air and road transport.
Speaking during a virtual flag-off event at Bhavnagar Terminus, where he inaugurated new train services including the Ayodhya Express, Rewa-Pune Express, and Jabalpur-Raipur Express, Vaishnaw highlighted the rapid progress of the bullet train project.
“The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train work is advancing swiftly, and the country will witness its first high-speed rail very soon,” he said.
Key Details of India’s Bullet Train Project:
- Route Length: 508 km between Mumbai and Ahmedabad
- Maximum Speed: 320 km/h
- Travel Time: 2 hours 7 minutes end-to-end
- Number of Stations: 12
- Starting Point: Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai
- End Point: Sabarmati, Ahmedabad
List of Bullet Train Stations:
- Mumbai (BKC)
- Thane
- Virar
- Boisar
- Vapi
- Bilimora
- Surat
- Bharuch
- Vadodara
- Anand
- Ahmedabad
- Sabarmati
Innovative Engineering Highlights:
- 7-km Undersea Tunnel: India’s first undersea tunnel beneath Thane Creek
- 21-km Total Tunnel Section: Critical part of the Mumbai stretch
- J-slab Ballastless Track: A first in India for ultra-high speed rail stability
- World-Class Stations: Each designed with modern passenger amenities and multi-modal connectivity
According to officials, the Bilimora-Surat section is expected to become operational by August 2026, serving as the first phase of the ambitious project. The bullet train is part of the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) initiative, backed by Japanese Shinkansen technology.
