India's ambitious first bullet train project is firmly on schedule, with a clear roadmap for its phased commencement starting from a historic date in 2027. Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the country's maiden high-speed rail service is set for a staged rollout, beginning on August 15, 2027.
Phased Rollout: From Surat-Bilimora to Full Corridor
Detailing the operational plan, Minister Vaishnaw specified that the inaugural run will cover a longer section than initially planned. The first phase will see services on the Surat to Bilimora stretch, marking India's inaugural experience with bullet train technology. Following this, the network will expand sequentially.
The phased expansion will proceed as follows:
- First phase: Surat to Bilimora section opens.
- Second phase: Extension from Vapi to Surat.
- Third phase: Connection from Vapi to Ahmedabad.
- Fourth phase: Link from Thane to Ahmedabad.
- Final phase: Full Mumbai to Ahmedabad corridor operational.
Vaishnaw clarified that while partial operations will commence in 2027, the full 508-kilometer length from Ahmedabad to Mumbai is targeted to start from 2029. The inaugural run in 2027 is now planned for the Ahmedabad to Vapi section, covering approximately 100 kilometers.
Drastic Travel Time Reduction and Project Progress
Once fully operational, the high-speed rail corridor will revolutionize travel between the two major cities. The 508-km distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will be covered in just 1 hour and 58 minutes, with trains designed to operate at speeds of up to 320 km per hour.
The announcement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a site visit to Surat to review the project's status. The Railways Minister stated that the Prime Minister was "very delighted" with the speed of construction.
Significant construction milestones have already been achieved. As of mid-November, officials reported:
- 329 kilometres of viaduct completed.
- 404 kilometres of pier work finished.
- Installation of around 3,100 overhead electrification masts, covering about 75 km of the mainline.
- Ongoing tunnel excavation in Palghar district, including the 21-km underground tunnel between Mumbai's BKC and Shilphata, where 5 km has been excavated.
Work is also advancing on rolling stock depots in Surat and Ahmedabad, along with station construction across Gujarat and Mumbai.
A Decisive Phase in India's Infrastructure Journey
The Railways Ministry had earlier proposed starting services on a shorter 50-km stretch of Surat-Bilimora. However, due to the rapid pace of construction, the plan was upgraded to commence operations on the longer Ahmedabad-Vapi section. This change underscores the project's accelerated progress.
With the phased operations set to begin in 2027 and full completion earmarked for 2029, the bullet train project is entering a critical and decisive phase. It represents a monumental leap in India's rail infrastructure, promising to set new benchmarks for speed, efficiency, and modern transportation in the country.
