India’s ambitious foray into high-speed rail is gathering momentum, with the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project marking significant progress.
The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), the agency executing the country’s first bullet train corridor, has confirmed that the Gujarat leg of the project is on track for a partial launch by 2028. Full operations extending into Mumbai are expected by 2030.The 508-kilometre Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor — designed to cut travel time between the two economic powerhouses from over seven hours to just under three — represents a transformative shift in India’s public transport vision. As of mid-2025, more than 300 km of viaducts have already been constructed, with 257 km laid using the advanced Full Span Launching Method (FSLM), an engineering technique that allows rapid placement of precast concrete girders. The remaining sections are being executed using the Span-by-Span method, more suited for certain site conditions.
What sets this high-speed rail project apart is its integration of Japanese Shinkansen technology — known globally for its precision, safety and speed. Supported by a soft loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the corridor is a product of Indo-Japanese collaboration, both financially and technologically. Eleven stations are planned along the route, including key locations like Surat, Vadodara, Thane and the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.The NHSRCL is concurrently advancing other infrastructure elements vital to the project’s operation. These include depots for housing the E5 Series Shinkansen rolling stock, a dedicated operations control centre, and state-of-the-art platforms designed to ensure seamless commuter access. Track laying has commenced in Gujarat, and station development is ongoing with an emphasis on blending contemporary design with local architectural character.
By 2028, operations are expected to begin between Sabarmati and Vapi — the Gujarat section — while the extension to Mumbai is scheduled for completion two years later. Officials cited land acquisition complexities and urban engineering challenges in Maharashtra for the longer timeline.Despite these hurdles, the bullet train is being positioned not merely as a mode of transport but as a catalyst for economic growth, urban renewal and sustainable infrastructure. It is expected to ease pressure on conventional rail and air traffic while significantly reducing carbon emissions per passenger-kilometre — a key component of India’s net-zero vision.
The project also reflects India’s growing ambition to embrace global best practices in rail transport, while balancing the need for equitable development. Stations are being designed with universal accessibility in mind, and the entire system is expected to boost regional connectivity, promote business travel, and redefine intercity commuting culture.
As India’s first bullet train edges closer to realisation, the countdown to a new era of rail travel has begun — one that blends speed, safety, and sustainability in a way no Indian railway has done before.
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