The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project has made further progress, with major civil, track and electrification works advancing along the 508-km corridor. According to the August 2026 progress update, approximately 365 km of viaduct construction and 455 km of pier work have been completed.
The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has also installed around 299 km of noise barriers, while 15 steel bridges and 17 river bridges have been completed. Four mountain tunnels have been excavated, along with another 5 km of tunnelling carried out using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).
Track and Electrification Work Accelerates
Track-related work is progressing alongside the civil construction. Around 222 km of reinforced concrete track bed has been completed, while track slabs using CAM injection technology have been laid across approximately 98 km.
Electrification work is also moving ahead, with more than 9,100 overhead electrification (OHE) masts installed across 203 km of the route.
The first operational section is planned to open between Surat and Vapi in August 2027, according to recent Ministry of Railways information. The government has also indicated that the first phase is expected to commence in 2027, followed by progressive expansion towards Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
Indigenous Train Set Takes Shape
Work is simultaneously progressing on India’s indigenous high-speed train. The first body frame has been completed and is undergoing structural testing, with track trials expected to begin during 2027.
The MAHSR corridor is India’s first dedicated bullet train project and will feature 12 stations. Nearly 90% of the alignment is being developed as an elevated corridor, while the remainder consists of tunnels, bridges and station infrastructure.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said the trains will operate at speeds of up to 320 kmph.
“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.
With four stops, the journey between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is expected to take 1 hour 58 minutes, while services stopping at all 12 stations are projected to take 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 will be 2 hours 17 minutes,” Vaishnaw said.
The full corridor is targeted for completion by December 2029, subject to the progress of remaining works and commissioning activities.
Source: Swarajya
