India is set to introduce its first high-speed rail service on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor with a domestically manufactured bullet train expected to begin operations in 2027. The B28 trainset, currently being developed in Bengaluru, will be deployed on the initial section of the project when passenger services commence.
The first operational phase is planned for August 2027 and will cover a stretch of around 100 km between Surat and Vapi in Gujarat. The entire high-speed rail corridor spans approximately 508 km, linking Sabarmati station in Ahmedabad with Mumbai. Construction work on stations, tunnels and elevated structures is progressing across different sections of the route.
The indigenous B28 trainsets will initially run at speeds of up to 250 kmph. However, they are being designed with the potential to operate at higher speeds of 320–350 kmph in the future. Two trainsets are currently under development to support the first phase of operations.
In later stages of the project, Japanese high-speed trainsets are expected to be introduced once procurement and deployment processes are completed. Officials indicated that the decision to begin operations with domestically built trains was influenced by delays and challenges in importing rolling stock from Japan.
The high-speed rail corridor will operate using the advanced European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 signalling technology, which supports speeds of up to 280 kmph. The tender for installing this signalling system has already been awarded and implementation work is underway along the route.
The project is being executed by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited, which is overseeing construction and system integration across the corridor.
Once fully operational, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail network is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities and enhance regional connectivity across Gujarat and Maharashtra. The phased rollout will allow passenger services to begin on completed sections while work continues on the remaining parts of the corridor.
Officials have indicated that the first phase of operations is targeted for launch by August 15, 2027, while the entire corridor is expected to become fully operational around 2029, marking a major milestone in the development of high-speed rail infrastructure in India.
Source: Prop News Time
