The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is set to expand northward, with a major extension to Delhi passing through seven districts in Rajasthan. Covering 657 km of the total 878 km proposed corridor, this leg will connect key cities including Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer, and Alwar, and will bring high-speed rail infrastructure to over 335 villages across the state, dramatically transforming regional connectivity and mobility.
The expanded corridor is expected to deliver a major boost to infrastructure in cities including Udaipur, Jaipur, Ajmer and Alwar, and reach previously underserved regions like Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Dungarpur. Once operational, the high-speed rail network will connect over 335 villages across Rajasthan, significantly reducing intercity travel time while supporting regional development through better mobility and green transport. Designed to mirror the success of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, the Delhi extension will begin from Dwarka Sector 21 and proceed via Gurugram, Manesar, and Rewari before entering Rajasthan at Shahjahanpur in Alwar. The rail alignment will largely follow National Highway 48, helping optimise land use and minimise ecological disruption. With climate-conscious planning at its core, the high-speed train infrastructure is expected to set new benchmarks in low-emission transit for India’s semi-arid regions.
Officials from the central rail infrastructure authority confirmed that the route will feature 11 high-speed stations, nine of which will be located within Rajasthan’s borders. These include Shahjahanpur, Behror, Jaipur, Ajmer, Vijaynagar, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Udaipur and Dungarpur. Planners noted that each station will be developed as an integrated mobility hub, with multimodal transport facilities, electric vehicle charging bays, and local transit linkages to promote last-mile connectivity. Udaipur, one of the largest beneficiaries of the project, is set to witness the construction of 127 kilometres of bullet train track, accompanied by eight tunnels and five river crossings. These engineering features not only reflect the challenging terrain of the Aravallis but also highlight the project’s commitment to balancing ecological sensitivity with modern infrastructure.
Officials involved in the Delhi-Ahmedabad corridor added that a dedicated trial track is already under construction near Sambhar Lake in Nagaur district. The trial infrastructure, being developed under the Jodhpur Railway Division, is intended to test new technologies and standards ahead of full-scale implementation. This site, located near Nawa town, will also serve as a model testing bed for future high-speed rail innovations in India. The Railway Ministry recently informed Parliament that the detailed project report (DPR) for the Delhi-Ahmedabad corridor has been finalised and is under review. Experts familiar with the matter indicated that once sanctioned, the project could enter its pre-construction phase within the next 18 months, subject to land acquisition and state approvals. The DPR includes detailed geotechnical surveys, alignment studies, environmental assessments, and socio-economic impact analyses, with a focus on equitable land compensation and local employment generation.
The broader context of this project is India’s aspiration to shift towards sustainable high-speed mobility. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, which spans 508 kilometres, is already under construction with nearly 300 kilometres of track work completed. Trains on this route are expected to run at speeds of up to 350 kmph, powered by energy-efficient and low-carbon systems modelled on Japanese Shinkansen technology. The success of this western leg has emboldened policy planners to replicate the model along the Delhi-Ahmedabad axis. Urban mobility experts and infrastructure economists have welcomed the move, calling it a major leap toward decarbonised intercity transport. They emphasise that the Delhi extension, if executed efficiently, could bring high-speed rail access to over 40 million people across northern and western India. Beyond passenger convenience, the project promises job creation, real estate upliftment around station areas, and long-term benefits in reducing highway congestion and air pollution.
Sustainability analysts also noted the potential for modal shift away from private vehicles and short-haul flights, thereby reducing transport-sector emissions. By adopting a green construction code, using fly ash-based concrete, energy-efficient tunnelling methods, and solar-powered stations, the corridor is expected to align with India’s net-zero emissions goals. Rajasthan’s inclusion in the high-speed rail network also opens new vistas for tourism and rural development. With connectivity to heritage destinations like Udaipur and Jaipur, the bullet train could unlock easier access for both domestic and international tourists. Officials from the tourism department stated that better transport infrastructure will be key to attracting high-value tourism, including eco-tourism and heritage trails, which can benefit the local economy without overwhelming the environment.
However, some environmental experts have urged a cautious approach, particularly near biodiversity-sensitive zones in Rajasthan. While the route has been planned alongside existing highways to reduce new land intrusion, detailed Environmental Impact Assessments are being scrutinised to ensure compliance with conservation norms. Mitigation strategies, including wildlife corridors, acoustic barriers, and regulated construction hours, are under active consideration. Officials have clarified that the proposed project aligns with national and state-level transport blueprints, including the PM Gati Shakti plan and the National Rail Plan. If implemented on schedule, the Delhi-Ahmedabad high-speed corridor is expected to be operational by early 2032.
As the nation accelerates toward a future of advanced rail travel, the extension of the bullet train through Rajasthan reflects a critical convergence of speed, sustainability and state-level economic renewal. The success of this corridor could ultimately define the viability of India’s high-speed rail network as a catalyst for inclusive and climate-smart urbanisation.
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