India’s first bullet train is moving closer to reality. The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor is under construction and will introduce the country’s first trains capable of running at 320 km/h.
The project covers 508 kilometers across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It will connect Mumbai with Ahmedabad in just over two hours, compared to the current travel time of six to seven hours.
On Saturday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the first section of the line will open in 2027. “Work is progressing rapidly, and the Surat–Bilimora section of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor will be the first to open in 2027,” Vaishnaw told reporters.
He also outlined a phased plan for the full route. “The Gujarat portion of the corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by December 2027. Services will then extend to Thane by 2028, and the entire line to Mumbai is expected to be completed by December 2029,” the minister said.
The project is being built by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) with technical and financial assistance from Japan. The trains are designed on the Shinkansen model, which has been operating in Japan for decades.
Officials said the corridor will have 12 stations: Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati.
The government has not released an exact fare structure, but Vaishnaw said ticket prices will be kept within reach of ordinary travelers. “The fare structure will remain within reach of the middle class,” he said.
How India’s Bullet Train Fares Compare Globally
| Country | Route | One-way Fare (Economy/Standard Range) | Fare in Local Currency | Fare in INR (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | Beijing ↔ Shanghai | 2nd class typical | CNY 553–673 | ₹6,850 – ₹8,350 |
| Full range (2nd–business) | CNY 553–1,748 | ₹6,850 – ₹21,700 | ||
| Japan | Tokyo ↔ Shin-Osaka | Ordinary (reserved) | ¥13,000–19,000 | ₹7,400 – ₹10,800 |
| France | Paris ↔ Lyon | Standard / promo | €12–120 | ₹1,250 – ₹12,480 |
| Spain | Madrid ↔ Barcelona | Economy | €20–120+ | ₹2,080 – ₹12,480 |
| Italy | Rome ↔ Milan | Standard / Premium | €15–90 | ₹1,560 – ₹9,360 |
| Germany | Berlin ↔ Munich | Economy (advance to flex) | €22–200+ | ₹2,300 – ₹20,800+ |
| South Korea | Seoul ↔ Busan | Economy | ₩59,800 | ₹3,470 |
| Taiwan | Taipei ↔ Kaohsiung (Zuoying) | Standard | NT$750–1,530 | ₹2,190 – ₹4,470 |
| Turkey | Ankara ↔ Konya | Economy | ₺360 | ₹770 |
| Business | ₺800 | ₹1,700 | ||
| Morocco | Tangier ↔ Casablanca | 2nd–1st | MAD 70–150 | ₹686 – ₹1,470 |
| UK (Eurostar) | London ↔ Paris | Standard | £35–300+ | ₹4,165 – ₹35,800 |
| Russia | Moscow ↔ St. Petersburg | Economy–Business | RUB 1,500–6,000+ | ₹1,600 – ₹6,300+ |
| Belgium/Netherlands | Brussels ↔ Amsterdam | Standard | €20–100+ | ₹2,080 – ₹10,400+ |
| Austria | Vienna ↔ Salzburg | Standard | €20–80 | ₹2,080 – ₹8,320 |
| Poland | Warsaw ↔ Kraków | Standard | PLN 59–150+ | ₹1,400 – ₹3,700+ |
| USA | NYC ↔ Boston (Acela) | Economy–Business | $50–250+ | ₹4,400 – ₹22,000+ |
Bullet Train Build Progress
Construction activity is most visible in Gujarat, where land acquisition and groundwork are more advanced. In Maharashtra, work picked up pace after clearances were finalized in recent years.
According to NHSRCL, large-scale infrastructure is already in progress, including viaducts, bridges, and station foundations. A spokesperson for the corporation said, “Civil works for more than 300 kilometers of the corridor in Gujarat are at an advanced stage. Piers and girders are coming up across several districts.”
The bullet train project is one of India’s most ambitious transport ventures. It involves building elevated tracks, tunnels, and modern signaling systems to meet high-speed standards. The corridor also includes a 21-kilometer tunnel between Mumbai and Thane, part of which will run under the sea.
While the government highlights the speed and convenience of the project, local communities are also watching the impact closely. Farmers in parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra have raised concerns about land acquisition. NHSRCL officials have stated that compensation and rehabilitation are being handled as per law.
The first trains will cut travel time between Surat and Bilimora to about 15 minutes. Once complete, the full journey from Mumbai to Ahmedabad is expected to take 127 minutes.
Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train: Key Facts
How many stations will the bullet train have?
The corridor will have 12 stations: Mumbai (Bandra-Kurla Complex), Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati.
Which states do the stations fall in?
Four stations are in Maharashtra: Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar. Eight stations are in Gujarat: Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Bilimora, Vapi.
How long will the journey take?
- Limited stops at Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad: about 2 hours 7 minutes.
- All stops: about 2 hours 58 minutes.
How long is the corridor?
The total length is 508 km: 348 km in Gujarat, 156 km in Maharashtra, and 4 km through Dadra & Nagar Haveli UT.
When will the bullet train start operations?
The government has not officially announced an inauguration date. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said the service will “commence very soon.”
What will the ticket price be?
Reports suggest a fare between ₹3,000–5,000 for the full Mumbai–Ahmedabad journey. The government has not confirmed final fares.
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