A major milestone was achieved on Saturday for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project as a 4.88 km-long tunnel between Shilphata and Ghansoli was successfully completed in the presence of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Calling it a “landmark achievement,” Vaishnaw, who initiated the tunnel breakthrough, announced that the first phase of the high-speed corridor on the Surat-Bilimora section is slated to begin in December 2027.
Speaking to reporters in Ghansoli, the minister emphasized that the bullet train will cater to the middle class, offering “reasonable” fares. He highlighted the speed advantage, noting that while Google Maps estimates the journey between Mumbai and Ahmedabad at nine hours, the bullet train will cover the distance in just two hours and seven minutes.
Vaishnaw outlined the phased rollout of the project: the Surat-Bilimora section in 2027, Thane in 2028, and the Bandra Kurla Complex by 2029. During peak hours, trains will initially depart every 30 minutes, eventually increasing to every 10 minutes as the network stabilizes.
Passengers traveling between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will not need prior ticket reservations, allowing them to arrive at the station and board directly.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)