Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Progresses Steadily

29 Aug 2025 CW Team

As of June 30, 2025, the project has incurred cumulative expenditure of Rs 788.39 billion. Land acquisition totalling 1,389.5 hectares and all statutory approvals have been completed, while 24 out of 28 tender packages have been awarded. Civil works are well underway: foundations are complete for 406 km, piers for 395 km, and girders have been launched for 312 km. Track laying has begun on 127 km of viaducts, and overhead equipment mast erection is in progress.

Out of the 12 proposed stations, foundation works have been completed at eight in Gujarat, while construction continues at three in Maharashtra, including the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) terminal. Additionally, 16 river bridges have been completed, with work on nine more underway. Tunnelling work in Gujarat has been finalised, and construction has commenced on the 21-kilometre undersea tunnel segment in Maharashtra, with 4 kilometres already completed.

Vaishnaw noted that the project has created both direct and indirect employment opportunities through construction activities, supply chains, and ancillary services. However, he cautioned that precise timelines and final cost estimates can only be determined after the completion of key components such as track installation, electrification, signalling systems, and trainset deployment.

On the broader high-speed rail front, the minister reported that 150 Vande Bharat trains are currently operational across India. These semi-high-speed trainsets, manufactured indigenously at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, are part of the central government’s Make in India push. Additionally, 200 Vande Bharat sleeper rakes are under production to expand services across longer routes.

The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project is progressing steadily, with significant advancement in civil works, station foundations, river bridge construction, and tunnelling, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The 508-kilometre bullet train corridor, implemented with financial and technical support from Japan, spans Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli.As of June 30, 2025, the project has incurred cumulative expenditure of Rs 788.39 billion. Land acquisition totalling 1,389.5 hectares and all statutory approvals have been completed, while 24 out of 28 tender packages have been awarded. Civil works are well underway: foundations are complete for 406 km, piers for 395 km, and girders have been launched for 312 km. Track laying has begun on 127 km of viaducts, and overhead equipment mast erection is in progress.Out of the 12 proposed stations, foundation works have been completed at eight in Gujarat, while construction continues at three in Maharashtra, including the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) terminal. Additionally, 16 river bridges have been completed, with work on nine more underway. Tunnelling work in Gujarat has been finalised, and construction has commenced on the 21-kilometre undersea tunnel segment in Maharashtra, with 4 kilometres already completed.Vaishnaw noted that the project has created both direct and indirect employment opportunities through construction activities, supply chains, and ancillary services. However, he cautioned that precise timelines and final cost estimates can only be determined after the completion of key components such as track installation, electrification, signalling systems, and trainset deployment.On the broader high-speed rail front, the minister reported that 150 Vande Bharat trains are currently operational across India. These semi-high-speed trainsets, manufactured indigenously at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, are part of the central government’s Make in India push. Additionally, 200 Vande Bharat sleeper rakes are under production to expand services across longer routes.

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