India is set to mark a major milestone in its transport infrastructure with the launch of its first bullet train, as confirmed by Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw. The high-speed rail service will initially operate on the Surat–Bilimora section, with the entire Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor expected to become fully operational by 2029.

The project, developed in collaboration with Japan, is progressing in phases. Following the opening of the Surat–Bilimora stretch, services will gradually expand to cover Vapi–Surat, Vapi–Ahmedabad, and Thane–Ahmedabad sections, before completing the full Mumbai–Ahmedabad route.

“The bullet train will be ready in 2027, August 15th, 2027,” said Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighting the government’s commitment to delivering India’s first high-speed rail service.

The 508-kilometre Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor is designed to operate at speeds of up to 320 kmph, significantly reducing travel time between the two cities to just over two hours. The corridor will feature 12 stations, with Sabarmati serving as the terminal station in Gujarat and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) as the Mumbai terminal. Three depots are also under construction to support operations.

The route passes through Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, with construction work progressing simultaneously across viaducts, bridges, tunnels, stations, and electrification systems. Officials have confirmed that a substantial portion of the viaduct work has already been completed, while land acquisition and station construction are advancing steadily.

The project recently achieved a significant milestone with the completion of its first mountain tunnel, marking an important step forward in the corridor’s development. The high-speed rail system will integrate Japan’s Shinkansen standards with Indian engineering expertise, ensuring advanced safety and operational reliability.

Once fully operational, the bullet train is expected to boost regional economies, strengthen inter-city connectivity, and position India among countries with advanced high-speed rail networks. The government has also indicated plans to develop additional high-speed rail corridors in the future.

In addition to the bullet train project, the Railway Minister announced the upcoming launch of India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train, further expanding the country’s modern rail offerings.

“For the bullet train ... you can buy a ticket now itself, as it will be operational by 2027,” he added, in a light-hearted remark.