India’s First Bullet Train to Run Soon, Says Rail Minister; Mumbai-Ahmedabad Journey in Just 2 Hours 7 Minutes

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:

1. Mumbai (BKC)
2. Thane
3. Virar
4. Boisar
5. Vapi
6. Bilimora
7. Surat
8. Bharuch
9. Vadodara
10. Anand
11. Ahmedabad
12. 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.