Mumbai Ahmedabad bullet train project advances with 406 km foundation completed
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project, India’s first bullet train corridor, is advancing at an accelerated pace with significant construction milestones achieved across both Gujarat and Maharashtra. Officials have confirmed that foundation work has already been completed across 406 kilometres of the 508-kilometre stretch, while track laying has begun on a 127-kilometre viaduct.
The project, widely seen as a cornerstone of India’s infrastructure modernisation, has moved from planning to execution in record time. More than 395 kilometres of piers have been completed, and girder casting and launching is progressing across 300 kilometres. In a further boost, erection of overhead equipment masts has commenced, marking a key step in preparing the line for electrification.Station development has also gathered speed. Out of the 12 proposed stations, foundation work has been completed at eight in Gujarat, including Vapi, Surat and Ahmedabad, while in Maharashtra, construction is underway at Thane, Virar and Boisar. Excavation at the ambitious Bandra Kurla Complex underground station in Mumbai is nearing completion, with base slab casting already in progress.
Bridging critical natural barriers has been another major focus. Sixteen river bridges are finished, while work continues on key crossings such as the Narmada, Mahi, Tapti and Sabarmati rivers. In Maharashtra, multiple bridgeworks are in advanced stages. The only tunnel in Gujarat is complete, and excavation has begun for the undersea tunnel, which is expected to be a global engineering showcase. The 4-kilometre tunnel between Ghansoli and Shilphata has also been completed.The scale of investment reflects the government’s commitment to modern, sustainable and efficient urban mobility. With a cumulative spend of nearly ₹79,000 crore so far, the project has created thousands of jobs in construction, supply chains and services. Officials confirm that the entire 1,389 hectares of land required has been acquired, while clearances for environment, forest and coastal regulations have been secured.
The bullet train corridor is also positioned as a sustainable transport solution. Noise barriers are being installed to reduce environmental impact, while energy-efficient systems are being designed to align with India’s net-zero ambitions. With all 28 civil contract packages awarded, and utilities relocated, momentum on the ground is stronger than ever.While officials remain cautious on a definitive commissioning date, they stress that civil, electrical, signalling and rolling stock integration must be completed before operations can commence. India’s first bullet train corridor, designed for Japanese Shinkansen technology, represents not just a leap in speed but also a leap in cleaner, equitable and future-ready urban mobility.
