Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train: First Section Set For Launch In December 2027

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, spanning 508 kilometers, marked a significant milestone on Saturday with a tunnel breakthrough between Shilphata and Ghansoli.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was present to witness this crucial 4.88 km tunnel breakthrough, which represents a major advancement for India's first high-speed rail corridor.

Hon'ble MR Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw reviewed the breakthrough of the Tunnel between Ghansoli and Shilphata (4.881 km) in Maharashtra, marking a major achievement for the Mumbai - Ahmedabad #BulletTrain corridor. pic.twitter.com/fDCVOQIN8a

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) September 20, 2025

Vaishnaw, who initiated the tunnel breakthrough procedure, described it as a "landmark achievement" and announced that the initial phase of the high-speed corridor on the Surat-Bilimora section will commence operations in December 2027.

Speaking to reporters in Ghansoli near Mumbai, the minister emphasized that the bullet train will serve as "transport for the middle class" with "reasonable" fare structures.

अब करीब-करीब मुंबई–अहमदाबाद प्रोजेक्ट में 320 किलोमीटर का वायडक्ट यानी ब्रिज वाला पोर्शन कंप्लीट हो गया है। सारे स्टेशनों पर बहुत अच्छा काम चल रहा है। नदियों पर जो पुल बन रहे हैं, वह भी बहुत तेजी से कंप्लीट हो रहे हैं: माननीय रेल मंत्री @AshwiniVaishnaw जी pic.twitter.com/C9b9wpSd8P

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) September 20, 2025

Highlighting the efficiency of the new service, Vaishnaw noted that while Google Maps currently shows a nine-hour journey time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, the bullet train will reduce this to just two hours and seven minutes.

The project's implementation will follow a phased approach, with the Surat-Bilimora section launching first in 2027, followed by Thane in 2028, and finally reaching Bandra Kurla Complex in 2029.

The minister outlined the service frequency, stating, "The services are designed such that a train will depart every half hour during the morning and evening peak hours. Once the entire network stabilises, there will be a train every 10 minutes during peak hours."

Vaishnaw also revealed that the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route would not require advance ticket reservations, allowing passengers to simply arrive at stations and board trains.

At the tunnel site, the minister triggered a controlled dynamite blast to break through the final layer, completing the five-kilometer excavation.

According to the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), this tunnel was excavated using the New Austrian Tunnel Method (NATM) and forms part of the 21 km underground stretch between BKC and Shilphata, which includes a 7 km segment beneath Thane Creek.

The breakthrough connects the Savali shaft to the tunnel portal at Shilphata, linking to the viaduct portion of the MAHSR project.

NHSRCL reported that tunnel excavation began in May 2024 across three phases, with the first 2.7 km section breakthrough achieved on July 9. An additional intermediate tunnel allowed simultaneous excavation from both Ghansoli and Shilphata.

The NATM tunnel features an internal width of 12.6 meters and was constructed through drilling, blasting, surveys, and support systems under challenging geological conditions.

The next phase will involve waterproofing, lining, finishing, and equipment installation, while the remaining 16 km of tunneling will utilize tunnel boring machines (TBMs).

Once completed, the tunnel will be a single-tube, 13.1-metre diameter structure supporting twin tracks for bidirectional travel.

NHSRCL emphasized their comprehensive safety measures, including settlement markers, piezometers, inclinometers, strain gauges, restricted site access, and systems to ensure fresh air supply for workers inside the tunnel.

As India's first bullet train project, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor has made substantial progress. According to NHSRCL, 321 km of viaduct and 398 km of pier construction have been completed, along with 17 river bridges, nine steel bridges, and over 400,000 noise barriers spanning 206 km.

Track bed construction has been finalized for 206 km, and more than 2,000 overhead equipment masts have been installed covering 48 km of the mainline viaduct.