Bullet Train on fast track: Mumbai-Ahmedabad project nears reality | Fusion - WeRIndia

India’s first bullet train is all set to revolutionise travel with speed, comfort, and world-class technology.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project is advancing quickly with strong support from Japan.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently revealed key updates in Parliament. He announced that the Vapi to Sabarmati section will be completed by December 2027.

The entire 508-kilometre corridor, from Mumbai to Sabarmati, is expected to be finished by December 2029.

This ambitious project involves complex engineering and multiple technical stages.

These include civil construction, track laying, electrical systems, signalling, telecommunications, and procurement of high-speed train sets. Only after these phases are completed will the exact operational date be finalised.

The total estimated cost of the MAHSR project stands at ₹1,08,000 crore. Of this, 81% (about ₹88,000 crore) is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The remaining 19% (approximately ₹20,000 crore) is being shared by the Ministry of Railways (50%) and the state governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat (25% each).

As of June 30, 2025, around ₹78,839 crore has already been spent. The corridor will include 12 stations.

They are Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati. The route also passes through the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

The project faced initial delays due to land acquisition, especially in Maharashtra. However, by 2021, these issues were resolved.

Now, all 1,389.5 hectares of land needed for the project has been fully acquired. Final location surveys and geotechnical studies are complete, and the alignment has been finalised.

Additionally, all required clearances, including those related to wildlife, forest, and the Coastal Regulation Zone, have been obtained. Importantly, all civil contracts have been awarded, ensuring the smooth progress of construction.

Once operational, the bullet train will drastically reduce travel time and boost regional connectivity.

The project marks a major leap in India’s rail infrastructure and symbolises a modern, high-speed future for Indian Railways.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on March 08, 2017

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1042539