Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train to Be Fully Operational by 2029, Says Ashwini Vaishnaw

TDT | New Delhi

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India’s first high-speed rail corridor, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train, is expected to be fully operational by 2029, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday. A 50-km stretch between Surat and Bilimora in Gujarat is set to open earlier, by 2027.

Vaishnaw inspected the under-construction Surat station, including track installation and the first turnout, and provided an update on the project’s progress. He said the bullet train will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to just two hours and seven minutes, compared to the current nine-hour journey as indicated on Google Maps.

“The overall progress of India’s first bullet train project is very good. The initial 50-km section between Surat and Bilimora will open by 2027. By 2028, the Thane-Ahmedabad section will be commissioned, and by 2029, the entire Mumbai-Ahmedabad line will be operational,” the minister stated.

Advanced Safety Measures
Vaishnaw highlighted the use of modern technology to ensure safety, including vibration absorption mechanisms along the track and special features to handle high winds and earthquakes.

Construction at Surat station is largely complete, with finishing and utility work ongoing alongside track linking. The first turnout, where tracks converge or diverge, has been installed using advanced technologies such as roller bearings and composite sleepers.

The main line of the bullet train is designed for speeds of up to 320 km/h, while the loop line will operate at 80 km/h.