Delayed for years, India’s first bullet train set to pick up speed in 2027
Mumbai–Ahmedabad sector to begin partial operations next year
India is on track to open the first section of its long-delayed high-speed bullet train project in 2027, marking a major milestone in the country’s railway modernization drive nearly a decade after construction began.
Railway ministry officials said the initial operational segment will run between Surat and Vapi, covering part of the 508-kilometre Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor, India’s first bullet train line.
“A considerable amount of work on the entire corridor has already been completed,” said Dharmendra Tewari, Additional Director General of Indian Railways, adding that the first section is expected to become operational in 2027.
The project, launched in 2017 by Indian and Japanese leaders, was originally scheduled for completion in 2023 but has faced repeated delays due to engineering challenges, land acquisition issues, and rising costs.
The $17 billion project is being developed with Japanese Shinkansen technology and is largely financed through a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), covering about 81 percent of the cost.
Once fully completed, the bullet train is expected to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad from around six hours to under two hours, with trains designed to operate at speeds of up to 320 km/h.
Authorities say the project is not only a transport upgrade but also a foundation for a broader high-speed rail network across India, with proposals for multiple corridors linking major economic and regional hubs.
These include potential routes connecting New Delhi, Varanasi, Siliguri, and southern tech centers such as Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai, although most remain at the planning stage.
The government describes the initiative as a key step in transforming India’s railway system into a modern, high-speed network capable of supporting long-term economic growth and regional connectivity.
