New Delhi: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Thursday hinted that India will see its first bullet train running on the tracks next year, and this historic launch will take place on August 15, 2027. will be.
He said, “The country’s first bullet train is set to arrive on Independence Day 2027. Prepare to book tickets now.”
Vaishnav also noted that the Vande Bharat Express chair car has instilled new confidence in people across the country, and demand for it is steadily increasing.
“There is demand for Vande Bharat Express trains from across India. Now, with the same comfort, safety, and standard, night travel will also begin with the Vande Bharat Sleeper train,” he said.
Rapid Progress on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Corridor
India’s first bullet train project is being built on a route of 508 km:
352 km — in Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli
156 km — in Maharashtra
This corridor will connect major cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi, Thane, and Mumbai. Travel time will be reduced to approximately 2 hours, significantly benefiting business and inter-city connectivity.
According to the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL):
More than 85% (465 km) of the route is being built on elevated viaducts
326 km of viaducts completed
Significant milestone in the construction of stations and bridges
Last November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a detailed review of the project during his visit to Gujarat. He inspected Surat station—the design of which is inspired by the city’s diamond industry.
Station overview:
Height: 26.3 meters
Area: 58,352 square meters
Three levels—parking/security, concourse and ticketing, platform, and boarding
Structural work has been completed, and interior amenities and finishing work are underway. Track construction is also progressing rapidly—RC track-beds and temporary tracks have been laid.
The project’s river bridges are also progressing rapidly:
Construction of 17 of 25 river bridges completed
The 47 km Surat-Bilimora section is the furthest along, with civil and track-bed work complete