India is set to revolutionize its railway network with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Corridor, the country’s first bullet train project. This 508-km corridor will connect Mumbai, the financial capital, with Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s vibrant hub, reducing travel time from over seven hours to just two. Led by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) with Japan’s Shinkansen technology and funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Rs 1.08 lakh crore project is advancing rapidly, with trials planned for 2026. Here’s a detailed look at its progress, timeline, and significance.
Project Genesis and Vision
Launched in 2017 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the MAHSR project aims to transform travel with speeds up to 320 km/h. Funded by a low-interest JICA loan (81%), the Central Government (Rs 10,000 crore), and Maharashtra and Gujarat (Rs 5,000 crore each), it will create an economic corridor linking Mumbai, Thane, Vapi, Surat, Vadodara, Anand, and Ahmedabad.
Construction Milestones
Despite early delays due to land acquisition issues in Maharashtra and the COVID-19 pandemic, the project has made significant strides. By January 2024, 100% of the required 1,396 hectares of land was acquired, thanks to the Shinde-Fadnavis government’s support. As of May 2025, 300 km of viaducts are complete, using the Full Span Launching Method. Additionally, 295.5 km of pier work and 153 km of girder launching were finished by March 2024. A 100-meter steel bridge over NH-48 near Nadiad, Gujarat, was launched in April 2025, showcasing “Make in India” engineering.
Station and Infrastructure Development
The corridor features 12 stations: Mumbai (Bandra Kurla Complex, underground), Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati (elevated). Mumbai’s underground station, 76% excavated by May 2025, is a multi-level marvel. A 21-km tunnel, including a 7-km undersea stretch near Mumbai, is under construction, with track laying underway in Gujarat, where 35 km of viaduct is ready for trials.
Trial and Launch Timeline
The 50-km Surat-Bilimora section will host trial runs by July 2026, using Shinkansen E5 series trains. The full corridor is expected to be operational by 2028, with Mumbai connectivity by 2030. The project will offer 70 daily services, including rapid trains (2 hours 7 minutes) and all-stop services (2 hours 58 minutes).
Ministerial Updates
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has shared progress on X, tweeting on May 20, 2025, about 300 km of viaduct completion and on April 26, 2025, about the Nadiad bridge launch, emphasizing transparency and engineering prowess.