The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project has achieved substantial construction progress, with 371 km of viaduct completed by September 2026, according to the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).
Along the 508-km corridor, construction teams have also completed 456 km of pier work, 18 river bridges and 16 steel bridges. Noise barriers have been installed across 301 km to reduce sound during train operations, while 98 km of track linking work has been finished.
Electrification activities are advancing, with more than 9,300 overhead equipment (OHE) masts installed along 206 km of the route. In Maharashtra, excavation of four mountain tunnels has been completed, alongside 5 km of tunnelling using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).
Supported by Japanese technical and financial assistance, the corridor is being developed to accommodate trains travelling at speeds of up to 320 kmph.
Initial Operations Targeted For 2027
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw previously indicated that the Vapi–Surat section was targeted for completion by December 2026, followed by testing and related activities. The Surat–Bilimora stretch is expected to become the first operational section in 2027.
The minister also announced plans for an inaugural 100-km run between Surat and Vapi in August 2027.
“A significant milestone is that the bullet train will cover the distance between Ahmedabad and Mumbai in just 1 hour 58 minutes upon the completion of the high-speed rail corridor. The inaugural run in August 2027 will cover 100 km between Surat and Vapi,” Vaishaw said.
The complete corridor will connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad through 12 stations across Maharashtra, Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Nearly 90 per cent of the alignment is planned as an elevated route, with the remaining sections comprising tunnels, bridges and station areas.
Full Corridor Targeted For 2029
Vaishnaw said the Mumbai–Ahmedabad journey would take 1 hour 58 minutes with four stops, while services halting at all 12 stations would complete the trip in 2 hours 17 minutes.
“The bullet train will cover the distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in 1 hour 58 minutes with four stops. However, if it halts at all 12 stations, the total journey time is 2 hours 17 minutes,” Vaishnaw said.
The corridor is expected to open in phases, with the Vapi–Surat, Vapi–Ahmedabad and Thane–Ahmedabad stretches planned ahead of full operations. The entire 508-km project is targeted for completion by December 2029.
Meanwhile, India’s indigenously developed high-speed train is progressing, with its first body frame undergoing structural testing. Track trials are expected around May–June 2027.
Source: Swarajya
