India is set to usher in a new phase of high-speed rail connectivity with the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor scheduled to become operational on August 15, 2027. The announcement was made by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transport infrastructure journey and highlighting India’s push toward world-class mobility solutions.
The bullet train corridor, spanning 508 kilometres, will be introduced in a phased manner, dramatically reducing travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Built using Japanese Shinkansen technology, globally recognised for its speed, safety, and reliability, the project will introduce international high-speed rail standards to India’s railway network for the first time.
Initial services will commence on shorter sections of the corridor before full end-to-end connectivity is achieved. The Surat–Bilimora section will be the first to open, followed by the Vapi–Surat and Vapi–Ahmedabad stretches. Services will then extend from Thane to Ahmedabad, with the final phase completing the Mumbai–Ahmedabad route.
Once fully operational, the corridor will connect major economic and industrial centres including Mumbai, Thane, Vapi, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad. The improved connectivity is expected to significantly boost business travel, tourism, and regional economic integration across western India.
Construction work has gained momentum across states. Of the total alignment, 352 km passes through Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, while 156 km lies in Maharashtra. More than 85 per cent of the corridor is elevated, with over 326 km of viaducts completed and 17 of the 25 planned river bridges already constructed.
The Surat bullet train station has emerged as a landmark development along the corridor, showcasing the project’s scale and contemporary design. With phased commissioning and steady construction progress, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project is poised to redefine inter-city travel and set a new benchmark for future rail infrastructure in India.
