India’s first bullet train station in Gujarat’s Surat is almost complete, with trial runs expected to begin in 2026 and full operations by 2029, Union Minister Harsh Sanghvi announced on Saturday.
The development marks a critical milestone in the 508-km-long Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project. The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) recently confirmed that 300 kilometres of viaducts—elevated sections designed to support the high-speed corridor—have been completed. The milestone included the launch of a 40-metre-long girder near Surat. “This is a first for Indian infrastructure, reflecting India’s growing capabilities in high-speed rail technology with the support of the Japanese government,” said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The technology is being deployed in collaboration with Japanese experts under the Shinkansen model.
Out of the total 300 km of completed viaducts, 257.4 km were built using the Full Span Launching Method (FSLM), while 37.8 km used the Span by Span (SBS) technique. Additionally, the NHSRCL reported progress on 14 river bridges, 0.9 km of steel bridges, 1.2 km of pre-stressed concrete (PSC) bridges, and 2.7 km integrated within the station premises. Beyond viaduct construction, the bullet train corridor has seen the completion of approximately 383 km of pier work, 401 km of foundational infrastructure, and 326 km of girder casting. The line, once operational, is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to just over two hours. The ₹1.08 lakh crore project is being funded through a tripartite shareholding model. The Central government will contribute ₹10,000 crore, while the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra will invest ₹5,000 crore each. The remaining funds are secured through a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Once operational, the MAHSR corridor is expected to serve as a blueprint for future high-speed rail projects in India. With Surat station nearing completion and groundwork advancing rapidly across the corridor, India moves a step closer to entering the global league of countries with high-speed rail networks.
