India’s 1st bullet train to hit tracks on August 15 next year: Vaishnaw
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New Delhi: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday announced that India is likely to receive its first Bullet Train on August 15, 2027, marking a historic milestone in the country’s rail infrastructure.
“The country will witness its first Bullet Train running on tracks next year. Buy a Bullet Train ticket, as on Independence Day in 2027, India will get its first Bullet Train,” Vaishnaw said.
Highlighting the success of the Vande Bharat Express, Vaishnaw said the chair car has created a new sense of confidence across the country and received widespread appreciation. “Requests are now coming in from all over India to run Vande Bharat trains, and almost every MP wants one. With the same comfort, safety, and standards, a new overnight journey will begin with the Vande Bharat Sleeper,” he added.
India’s first Bullet Train project spans 508 km between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with 352 km in Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and 156 km in Maharashtra. The corridor will connect major cities including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi, Thane, and Mumbai. Once operational, it is expected to cut travel time between the two metros to around two hours, significantly enhancing inter-city mobility.
According to the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. (NHSRCL), over 85 per cent of the corridor, around 465 km, is being built on elevated viaducts, with 326 km already completed.
In November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a detailed review of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project during his visit to Gujarat, underscoring the government’s push towards next-generation transport infrastructure. During the visit, the Prime Minister inspected the Surat station, designed to reflect the city’s globally renowned diamond industry. The station stands 26.3 metres high and covers a built-up area of 58,352 square metres. It includes three levels: the ground floor for parking and security checks, the concourse level for lounges, restrooms, kiosks, and ticketing, and the platform level for passenger boarding.
While structural work at the station is complete, finishing touches including interiors and amenities are underway. Track works, including RC track-bed construction and temporary track installation, have also been completed. Progress on river bridges is substantial, with 17 of 25 bridges constructed. The 47-km Surat–Bilimora section is among the most advanced stretches, where civil works and track-bed preparation have been fully completed.
With IANS inputs