Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has reported that nearly 80 per cent of work on the Mumbai Ahmedabad high speed rail corridor has been completed and that construction is progressing rapidly. He said the first phase of services, connecting Surat and Billimora, is scheduled to become operational in 2027. The minister indicated that the project remains on track to meet its rollout deadline.

The project will be extended in phases to Vapi, Ahmedabad and ultimately Mumbai as part of a broader plan to establish a world class rail network. Trains on the corridor have been engineered for speeds of up to 350 km per hour, with an operational speed expected to be 320 km per hour. Once fully operational, the 508 kilometre corridor is projected to cut the journey between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to approximately one hour and 58 minutes, easing travel between the two economic centres.

The alignment covers 348 kilometres in Gujarat, 156 kilometres in Maharashtra and four kilometres in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The scheme is being developed using Japanese Shinkansen technology and operational practices, and it incorporates advanced systems in traction electrification, track infrastructure and railway operations. Officials have highlighted the technical complexity and the scale of coordination required across states and agencies.

Vaishnaw reiterated the Centre's commitment under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to developing modern transport infrastructure and improving passenger convenience. He said the government is focused on modernising railway stations, enhancing road connectivity and delivering state of the art transport facilities across Gujarat to boost economic and social development. The minister also directed officials to ensure remaining work on the Oamnagar underpass is completed before the Navaratri festival.