The Indian Railways has expressed uncertainty over the completion date of the country’s first bullet train project. The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), entrusted with the task of constructing the 508 km Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, stated in response to a Right to Information (RTI) application that the completion date can only be determined after all work tenders are awarded. The project, launched in 2017, was initially set to be operational by December 2023. However, land acquisition issues and the COVID-19 pandemic have caused significant delays.
The Railways Ministry has announced the scheduled completion of the first phase, a 50 km stretch between Surat and Bilimora, by August 2026. In January 2024, it was declared that land acquisition for the entire project had been completed. As per NHSRCL’s response to the RTI application, rail tracks have not yet been laid. However, as of April 6, 2024, a total of 157 km of viaduct has been completed.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw provided an update on the progress of the project on March 28, 2024, stating that 295.5 km of pier work and 153 km of viaduct had been finished. Out of the total 508 km project length, 465 km will be on viaducts, 9.82 km on bridges, 5.22 km through mountain tunnels, and 21 km underground, including 7 km under the sea.
According to NHSRCL, the bullet train will cover the 508 km distance in 2 hours and 58 minutes, including stoppage time at all 10 stations. It will commence from Mumbai and terminate at Sabarmati, with intermediate stops at Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, and Ahmedabad. The estimated project cost is approximately 1,08,000 crore.
