India’s First Bullet Train Project on Track for 2027 Launch, Expected to Boost Economy: Vaishnaw
Mumbai, September 20, 2025 – India’s aspiring Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, the country’s first bullet train corridor, is progressing rapidly and is slated to begin its first phase of operations in 2027, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced today. The project is anticipated to substantially multiply India’s economic output,according to the minister.
Vaishnaw highlighted considerable progress on the 508 km-long corridor, stating that 320 kilometers of viaduct have been completed, with construction of stations advancing swiftly. He further noted the systematic construction of river bridges and the nearing completion of the Sabarmati tunnel.
“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,” Vaishnaw said. He also confirmed that travel between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will not require ticket reservations, allowing passengers to board directly at the station.
Today, Vaishnaw personally oversaw a controlled dynamite blast completing a five-kilometer excavation of a key tunnel segment. The tunnel, constructed using the New Austrian Tunnel Method (NATM), is part of a 21 km underground stretch between the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphata, including a 7-km segment beneath Thane Creek. The breakthrough connects the Savali shaft to the tunnel portal at Shilphata, linking it to the viaduct portion of the MAHSR project.
The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) reported that tunnel excavation began in May 2024, with an initial breakthrough achieved on July 9. An additional intermediate tunnel (ADIT) facilitated simultaneous excavation from both Ghansoli and Shilphata. The NATM tunnel boasts an internal width of 12.6 metres and was built under challenging geological conditions.
Currently, the NHSRCL is focusing on waterproofing, lining, finishing, and equipment installation within the completed tunnel. The remaining 16 km of tunnelling will be executed using tunnel boring machines (TBMs). The finished tunnel will be a single-tube structure with a 13.1-meter diameter,accommodating twin tracks for both up and down lines.
The NHSRCL emphasized complete safety measures implemented during construction, including settlement markers, piezometers, inclinometers, strain gauges, restricted site access, and ventilation systems for workers.
beyond the tunnel work,the NHSRCL reports important overall progress: 321 km of viaduct,398 km of pier construction,17 river bridges,nine steel bridges,and the installation of over four lakh noise barriers across 206 km have been completed. Track bed construction is finished on 206 km, and over 2,000 overhead equipment masts have been installed covering 48 km of the mainline viaduct.
the MAHSR project represents a major infrastructure investment for India, aiming to connect the economic hubs of Mumbai and Ahmedabad with high-speed rail, fostering economic growth and regional integration.