Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the speed potential of the main line is 320 kmph and 80 kmph for the loop line.
| Photo Credit: PTI
India’s first bullet train project is progressing steadily, with the initial 50-km stretch between Surat and Bilimora in Gujarat set to open in 2027, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday. The entire Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor is expected to be operational by 2029.Once launched, the high-speed train will cover the 508-km distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in just two hours and seven minutes. “The project is advancing very well. The Surat–Bilimora section will be ready by 2027, the Thane–Ahmedabad stretch by 2028, and the full corridor by 2029,” Mr. Vaishnaw said, after inspecting works at the under-construction Surat station, including track installation and the project’s first turnout (a point where tracks join or separate).The main line has been designed for speeds up to 320 kmph, with 80 kmph for the loop line. To ensure safety and efficiency, advanced technologies have been deployed. “This is a highly complex train operation, which is why the most modern systems are being used. Special vibration mechanisms and utility cables have been set up to absorb the impact when trains run at 320 kmph. Even the tracks have inbuilt systems to counter vibrations,” the Minister explained. He added that the tracks feature safety measures to keep trains stable during heavy winds or earthquakes.Work at Surat station has entered the final stages, with major construction works complete. Mr. Vaishnaw highlighted the use of new technologies, including roller bearings for track movement and composite sleepers. “Today, we installed the first turnout at Surat station using innovations being applied in India for the first time,” he said.Bharat's bullet train project is advancing rapidly with the world's most modern technology.📍HSR Surat Station pic.twitter.com/j3zrFwiPKo— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) September 27, 2025Calling the bullet train a game-changer, he said the project would link economies of all major cities along the route, similar to the growth spurred in Japan after the Shinkansen’s launch. He also pointed out that the BJP has promised to expand the network, with three more corridors planned in the north, one in the east, and one in the south, in addition to the western Mumbai–Ahmedabad line. Published - September 27, 2025 01:25 pm IST
