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Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project completes 5km tunnel between Ghansoli and Shilphata. First phase launches Surat-Bilimora section in December 2027, with 12 stations planned.
The work on the stations of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (HSR) project involves pick-up/drop zones, bus bays, parking, pedestrian circulation, signage, and other passenger amenities. (Photo Credit: X)
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train: The Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project achieved a significant breakthrough with the completion of 5 km tunnel between Ghansoli and Shilphata.
Officials said that the excavation, carried out using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), has successfully connected the Savali shaft with the Shilphata tunnel portal.
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Meanwhile, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the first section of the high-speed corridor on the Surat-Bilimora section will start in December 2027. The first phase of the bullet train project will be first launched on the Surat-Bilimora section in 2027, covering Thane in 2028 and the Bandra Kurla Complex in 2029, Vaishnaw said.
“The services are designed such that a train will depart every half hour during the morning and evening peak hours. Once the entire network stabilises, there will be a train every 10 minutes during peak hours,” he said.
All About The Bullet Train Project
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor (MAHSR) or Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR is a high-speed rail line under development that will connect India’s economic powerhouse Mumbai with the city of Ahmedabad. It will be India’s first high-speed rail route when completed.
Designed to operate at speeds of up to 320 kmph, India’s bullet trains will slash travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to just over 2 hours, a huge leap from the current 6-7 hours by road or conventional train.
The total length of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train journey will be approximately 508 km, which includes a 21 km underground stretch between the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphata, including a 7-km segment beneath Thane Creek.
The tunnelling work began in May 2024 through three separate faces, and the first breakthrough was achieved in July this year on a 2.7-km stretch. With this latest progress, engineers have managed to complete a continuous 4.881-km section that will eventually link up with the viaduct portion of the project at Shilphata. The tunnel, excavated with a width of 12.6 metres, has been designed to accommodate twin tracks within a single tube of 13.1 metres diameter, allowing trains to move in both directions.
The project aims to bring Japanese Shinkansen technology to Indian tracks, promising world-class safety, comfort, and punctuality.
Which Stations Will The Bullet Train Cover?
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train will run on a 508-km corridor with 12 stations planned along the route, out of which four will be in Maharashtra and the remaining eight in Gujarat.
- Mumbai (Bandra-Kurla Complex – BKC) – The starting point and main terminal in Mumbai’s financial hub, built entirely underground.
- Thane – An important stop catering to the densely populated Thane district.
- Virar – Serving the fast-growing suburban and industrial areas of Palghar district.
- Boisar – Close to the Tarapur industrial hub, connecting key manufacturing zones.
- Vapi – The first stop in Gujarat, serving the industrial belt of Valsad district.
- Bilimora – Connecting South Gujarat and acting as a gateway to the popular Saputara hill station.
- Surat – One of India’s fastest-growing cities, known for diamonds and textiles, with a high expected passenger demand.
- Bharuch – Serving the chemical and industrial hub of Gujarat.
- Vadodara – A major cultural and commercial center, also a junction for central Gujarat.
- Anand/Nadiad – Known as the milk capital of India, connecting the Amul dairy region.
- Ahmedabad – The main terminal in Gujarat’s largest city, a hub for business and culture.
- Sabarmati – Designed as a modern multimodal transport hub linking the bullet train to Ahmedabad’s metro, rail, and road networks.
The corridor is 508 kilometres long in total, including 156 kilometres in Maharashtra, four kilometres in Dadra Nagar Haveli, and 384 kilometres in Gujarat.
Amenities
The bullet train will not only save time but also enhance business and tourism opportunities between two of India’s busiest regions.
It will include modern onboard amenities, plush seating, and seamless ticketing through digital platforms.
Further, stations will feature state-of-the-art facilities and design features aimed at providing a seamless travel experience. These stations are being developed to meet international standards in functionality, operation, and sustainability.
The stations are being designed with passenger comfort and accessibility as the top priority. They will feature a calming color palette, plenty of seating in waiting areas, lounges, and kiosks, as well as clear signage to help people find their way easily.
For a comfortable journey on high-speed trains, which often involves longer travel times, a great deal of care has gone into providing high-quality restrooms. Each station will also include nurseries for children and lockers for luggage storage, which will be convenient for those on day trips.
What Are The Bullet Train Fares Likely To Be?
According to some reports, a full journey from Mumbai to Ahmedabad on board the bullet train is expected to cost between Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000, based on the railway fares and AC fares. A shorter journey, say between BKC and Thane may cost less.
However, there has been no official announcement on the bullet train ticket costs yet.
Current Status Of Project
With the NATM portion now completed, attention will shift to the remaining 16 km of tunnelling, which will be executed using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).
So far, 321 km of viaduct work and 398 km of pier construction have been completed.
Engineers have also finished 17 river bridges and nine steel bridges, while over four lakh noise barriers have been installed along a 206 km stretch. Track bed work covering 206 km is also done, alongside the installation of more than 2,000 OHE masts across 48 km of the viaduct.
In Maharashtra, work on the underground Mumbai station is underway with base slab casting in progress, while superstructure work on all Gujarat stations is at an advanced stage.
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
September 21, 2025, 22:14 IST
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