Bullet Train Will Become Operational In August 2027: Ashwini Vaishnaw

“The work on the bullet train project is underway in full swing. We have set a target of August 2027 for starting the first bullet train,” Minister Vaishnaw said on the first day of the two-day conference (VGRC).

The Minister is bullish about the ongoing railway projects in the state. As many as 31 detailed project reports (DPRs) are also being prepared. “These will give a boost to the railway network. A total of 87 railway stations are being renovated, and work on projects with a total investment of Rs. 1,46,000 crore is underway," he said. 

Dedicated Freight Corridor

Freight transportation is another top priority of the government. About 400 trains are plying every day on the dedicated freight corridor (DFC), and the travel time has shrunk from 30 hours to about 11 hours now. “The railway is a lifeline, and our emphasis is on reducing the logistics cost,” he said.

The Bullet Train Trajectory

The bullet train will facilitate a 508 km journey between Mumbai and Sabarmati via Ahmedabad in two hours and 58 minutes, with a maximum speed of 320 km per hour, and stoppages at nine other stations -  Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, and Anand.  

About 155 km of the project trajectory runs through Maharashtra, while the remaining 352 km area falls in Gujarat, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli. Of 12 stations, eight are in Gujarat, and four are in Maharashtra.

Experts say that as the train will pass through viaducts, bridges, mountain tunnels, and underground, as well as under sea, keeping its alignment straight and controlling the vibrations due to high speed makes it a highly complex and technically difficult infrastructure project.

Of the 508 km, viaducts cover 465 km, bridges make up 9.82 km, underground areas add up to 21 km, including seven km of the undersea stretch, mountain tunnels have 5.22 km, and the remaining 6.75 km goes to station areas, among others.