India is gearing up to significantly enhance its high-speed train network, with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project already underway. This ambitious initiative marks the beginning of a major overhaul in India’s rail infrastructure, with plans to extend high-speed train connectivity to more cities soon.
Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw recently responded to queries in the Rajya Sabha from Smt. Geeta Alias Chandraprabha and Shri Narayana Koragappa, confirming that the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project, spanning 508 kilometers, is currently the only officially approved high-speed rail project in India.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train is being developed with technical and financial assistance from the Government of Japan. The line will connect 12 important stations: Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati.
Construction is progressing rapidly. To date, 336 kilometers of pier foundations have been completed, alongside 331 kilometers of piers, 260 kilometers of girder casting, and 225 kilometers of girder launching. Additionally, a significant 21-kilometer undersea tunnel has also begun, marking a key development in the project.
Beyond the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, the Ministry of Railways has instructed the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for other high-speed rail corridors. These proposed routes include:
Delhi – Varanasi
Delhi – Ahmedabad
Delhi – Amritsar
Mumbai – Nagpur
The Delhi-Varanasi and Varanasi-Howrah corridors will pass through Uttar Pradesh, and their development will depend on the successful completion of DPRs, techno-economic feasibility assessments, and securing funding. Given the capital-intensive nature of these projects, decisions regarding their approval will be based on a comprehensive evaluation of these aspects.
The expansion of India’s high-speed rail network is set to transform the country’s travel infrastructure by significantly reducing travel times and providing faster, more reliable transportation options. The government remains focused on improving the nation’s rail system to meet the increasing demand for efficient travel.