The Ministry of Railways in New Delhi has showcased a symbolic visual representation of India’s proposed bullet train project, now displayed at Gate Number 4 of Rail Bhavan.
Railway officials have emphasized that this image is for representation purposes only and does not reflect the final design. They noted that the display could be updated as necessary.
The visual features a vibrant orange-and-silver train design that echoes the aesthetics of the Vande Bharat trains.
What we know about the project
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project spans a 508-km corridor, developed with technical and financial support from Japan.
This route will traverse Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
Twelve stations are in the plan: Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati.
The bullet train is anticipated to reach a maximum speed of 320 kmph, cutting travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad down to approximately two hours from the current 6-8 hours.
The project was officially inaugurated in 2017 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Ahmedabad.
Originally, the corridor was set for completion in 2023, but delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges have extended the timeline. The entire route is now expected to be operational by 2027-28, with a target launch date of August 15, 2027.
The Ministry of Railways also expressed optimism that the first operational section between Surat and Bilimora could start services this year.
Tunnel work advances
The first visual of the train appeared shortly after the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) reported progress in tunnel construction for the project in Mumbai.
NHSRCL announced that the first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) cutterhead has been lowered at Vikhroli in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs.
This 13.6-metre diameter cutterhead, weighing 350 tonnes, signifies the final stage in assembling the TBM’s main shield for the high-speed rail corridor.
According to NHSRCL, two TBMs, each exceeding 3,000 tonnes, are being assembled for constructing a 16-km segment of the 21-km Mumbai tunnel.
The tunnel will feature a 7-km undersea section beneath Thane Creek, marking India’s first undersea rail tunnel.
“These TBMs are the largest machines deployed to date for rail tunnel construction in the country,” NHSRCL stated in a statement reported by PTI.
A nearly 6-km section from Vikhroli to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) will undergo excavation using the TBMs. The tunnel will travel beneath densely populated areas and the Mithi river before reaching the ongoing BKC station.
Stations near completion
Earlier this year, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament that foundation work has been finished at eight stations — Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Anand, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati.
He mentioned that 17 river bridges have already been constructed, with progress underway on the Narmada, Mahi, Tapti, and Sabarmati bridges in Gujarat. Construction is also in progress on four river bridges in Maharashtra.
Depot construction at Thane, Surat, and Sabarmati is advancing, along with civil work at the Bandra Kurla Complex station.
The minister stated that excavation work at BKC has achieved about 91% progress, while the basement slab work at Level-4 is fully completed.
“Work on the under-sea tunnel (approximately 21 km) has commenced, with 4.8 km of tunnel between Ghansoli and Shilphata in Maharashtra already completed,” Vaishnaw noted.
India’s rail push
Officials indicated that the MAHSR project is expected to enhance India’s expertise in areas such as track construction, advanced signalling, rolling stock manufacturing, maintenance, and project management for future high-speed rail corridors.
Under the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, the Integral Coach Factory is collaborating with Bharat Earth Movers Limited to design and manufacture high-speed train sets with a target design speed of 280 kmph.
Land acquisition for the project has been conducted under existing regulations, with compensation and rehabilitation measures implemented in conjunction with state governments.
Officials stated that the corridor is designed for high-frequency operations with a substantial passenger capacity.
