Could Indians Ride Their First Bullet Train By Independence Day 2027? Ashwini Vaishnaw Sets Timeline

Published 12 July 2026 · local

Could Indians Ride Their First Bullet Train By Independence Day 2027? Ashwini Vaishnaw Sets Timeline Published By Last Updated: July 12, 2026, 20:57 IST India

Could Indians Ride Their First Bullet Train By Independence Day 2027? Ashwini Vaishnaw Sets Timeline Published By Last Updated: July 12, 2026, 20:57 IST India may get its first bullet train by Independence Day in 2027, with the Surat-Bilimora stretch of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor set to open first. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Surat-Bilimora section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train route is set to open by Independence Day in 2027. (Representational image) By next year’s Independence Day, India might get its first bullet train, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday. He informed that the Surat-Bilimora section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor will become the first high-speed rail route. Since the 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project will be commissioned in stages, different sections of the project can become operational before the whole route is completed.

The other projects besides Surat-Bilimora stretch will open progressively. The other sections are Vapi-Surat, Vapi-Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad-Thane, and Ahmedabad-Mumbai. The Railway Ministry quoted Vaishnaw saying, “India’s first Bullet Train enters its next chapter. Starting next year, the under-construction Mumbai–Amdavad High-Speed Rail corridor will open phase by phase, beginning with the Surat–Bilimora section." Around 80 percent of the high-speed rail project is completed and the construction is advancing rapidly to meet the target timeline, Railways Minister said. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train is India’s first high-speed rail project. The project is expected to reduce significantly the travel time between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, which, along with Surat, are two of the most important financial hubs of the country. This project is also set to introduce advanced rail technology and strengthening regional connectivity. Vaishnaw also spoke about the Centre’s future plans to expand India’s high-speed rail network.

He announced three proposed bullet train corridors with Hyderabad as a key centre. These include the Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Chennai and Hyderabad-Bengaluru routes, which are expected to improve connectivity across southern India. He further said that a Hyderabad-Mumbai high-speed rail corridor is also planned. The project, once completed, is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given three high-speed bullet train corridors to Hyderabad, which will change its landscape," Vaishnaw said. He added that the proposed network would cover large parts of Telangana and strengthen connectivity between several districts in the state. The minister also highlighted the government’s railway modernisation efforts under the station redevelopment programme. Under the Nav-Nirmaan initiative, 261 railway stations across the country are being upgraded with improved infrastructure and modern facilities for passengers.