Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that India’s first bullet train project is progressing rapidly and that the first section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor is targeted for commissioning next year. He noted that the Surat-Bilimora section is expected to be the first operational stretch of the 508-km corridor. The minister added that the first coach manufactured for testing is ready, marking a key milestone in the development of India’s first high-speed rail service.

Civil construction on the Vapi-Surat section is expected to be completed by December 2026, and work on other parts of the corridor is advancing at a faster pace than anticipated. Officials plan to open the corridor in phases, with the first high-speed service anticipated to begin in August 2027. Vaishnaw had earlier indicated that service could start on 15 August 2027 with the Surat-Bilimora stretch before extensions to other sections.

The project is being developed by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL) with Japanese technology and financial assistance, and efforts to build domestic manufacturing capability for high-speed trainsets are under way. Train manufacturing progress is seen as particularly significant for developing indigenous skills and supply chains. The trains are planned to operate at speeds of up to 320 kmph once the corridor is fully commissioned. Civil and systems work continues across multiple segments while testing and validation activities prepare rolling stock for entry into service.

The MAHSR corridor spans 508 km between Mumbai and Ahmedabad and passes through Maharashtra, Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, serving 12 stations including Mumbai Bandra Kurla Complex, Thane, Virar, Boisar and Surat. The project aims to provide faster inter-city connectivity while improving passenger comfort, safety and reliability. Completion of the test coach is presented as a tangible step towards operational readiness.