The desire to have superlative transportation in India has given birth to the very first high-speed rail line, named “Bullet Train”. The train is designed with rapid expansion regarding transit systems as well as railways. And considering modern India, the MAHSR Bullet Train is the very first bullet train in India connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Highlights of First Bullet Train in India – MAHSR
- Project Cost – Rs.1.1 Lakhs Crore (US$15 billion)
- Project Owner – NHSRCL (National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd)
- Total Length – 508.18 km
- Track type – Underground (27 km), Elevated (468 km), At Grade – 13 km
- Operating speed – 320 km/h
- Maximum Speed: 350 km/h
- Average Speed: 250 km/h
- Project Deadline – 2023
- Opening Date – 2026 (Surat to Bilimora phase)
- Number of Stations: 12 (Mumbai BKC, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand/Nadiad, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati)
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project is under construction with a route of 508.17 km that would pass through nearly 12 stations. The estimated cost of this high-speed rail line is around Rs. 1.1 lakh crore which is around US$15 billion. The project was initiated by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd., also known as NHSRCL. The project was initiated with a loan of Rs. 88,087 crores for 50 years from Japan at a 0.1% interest rate with repayments scheduled after 15 years from the line being operational. The current project deadline is December 2023 and the estimated completion is 2030.
MAHSR Bullet Train Speed in India
The trains would operate at a speed of around 320 km/h on an elevated overpass 10-15m above the ground. The lines in Mumbai would be built underground through 3 mega Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). The train line would run under the sea for around 2km at the Thane Creek for stations between Mumbai and Thane. The lines are designed with rolling stock comprised of Shinkansen E5 trains that are capable of running at a speed of around 350 km/h along with an operational speed of around 320km/h.
The foundation stone of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train was laid by the Prime Ministers of Japan and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14th September 2017. After this, the construction of the bullet train route started with around 4000 employees in Vadodara.
Gujarat is very lucky, after the Delhi-Mumbai expressway, they are getting 2nd big infrastructure project in India. Through this piece of information, let’s check out the route and the current status of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train in detail.
Current Status of Mumbai Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail
As of now, the work is in progress only in Gujarat as the land acquisition was delayed in Maharashtra, and the work has not yet been awarded.
As of 31st March 2023, Overall Physical Progress is – 30.15% (26.33% as of Feb 2023)! (Gujarat works 35.23%, Maharashtra works 19.65 %)
- 272.89 km (257.06 Km on Feb 2023, 242.18 km on Jan 2023, 227.62 km on Dec 2022) Pile Work.
- 209 km ( 200 km on May 23, 191.00 km on April 23, 170.56 km on Mar 23, 155.48 Km on Feb 2023, 140.68 km on Jan 2023, 126.44 km on Dec 2022) Pier Work.
- 85 Km (70km on June 2023, 56 Km on May 23, 45.40 Km on MAR 23, 37.64 Km on Feb 2023, 30.24 km on Jan 2023, 21.44 km on Dec 2022) Girders Launched.
- 8,003 old trees have been transplanted and 83,600 new saplings have been planted by NHSRCL.
- 56.34 % Civil Work completed as of 28th Feb 2023 in Gujarat.
- 85 km of Vidcut Done in Gujarat as of 30th August 2023.
Current Status of Land Acquisition for Mumbai Ahmedabad Bullet Train
- Gujarat – 100% Land Aquarired for Bullet Train!
- Maharashtra – 99.83% Land Aquarired for Bullet Train! (79.5% Land possession received)
- Dadra & Nagar Haveli – 100% Land Acquisition Done!
Overall Status of Land Acquisition for MAHSR
| Bullet Train in India | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sr. No. | Ownership | Total Land Requirement (In Hectare) | Land Acquired Till Date (In Hectare) | Balance Land to be Acquired (In Hectare) | Percentage Land Acquired |
| 1 | Private | 1,021.73 | 1,021.02* | 0.71 | 99.93 % |
| 2 | Government | 143.53 | 143.50 | 0.03 | 99.98 % |
| 3 | Forest | 95.58 | 95.58 | 0.00 | 100.00 % |
| 4 | Railway | 128.65 | 128.65 | 0.00 | 100.00 % |
| Total | 1,389.49 | 1,388.75 | 00.74 | 99.95 % | |
**As of 26th September 2023. ** Source – www.landnhsrcl.in/dashboard
Mumbai Ahmedabad Bullet Train Route:
The conspicuous bullet train is sure to reduce the travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad which is currently 7 to 8 hours. According to the bullet train speed, the train would travel from Mumbai to Ahmedabad in merely 2 hours and 58 minutes. The train would make halts at 12 stops for 165 seconds duration at every stop. However, if the train would make halts at only four prime stops including Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad, the distance would be covered in merely 2 hours and 7 minutes.
Mumbai – Ahmedabad Bullet Train Ticket Prices
As per the Mumbai Ahmedabad bullet train route, the train would have halted at 12 stations including Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati. The fare of the bullet train would range from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 5000 depending on the station the bookings are made.
Contractors and Tenders of Mumbai Ahmedabad Bullet Train
| Work Description for Bullet Train | Contractor | Schedule Completion Time |
| Feasibility Study for MAHSR done By | JICA – Ministry of Railways of India (RVNL) JV | Completed |
| Package C1 (Maharashtra):- 1.028 km Underground Station at BKC, Mumbai | MEIL – HCC JV | 4.48 years (1638 days) May 2023 |
| Package C2 (Maharashtra):- 20.377 km underground tunnel between BKC Station to Shilphata, Thane | Afcons Infrastructure | 5.17 years (1888 days) July 2023 |
| Package C3 (Maharashtra):- 135.450 km elevated line between Shilphata, Thane & Zaroli Village (MH/GJ Border) | Larsen & Toubro | 4.6 Years (1704 days) From August 2023 |
| Package C4 (Gujarat):- 237.1 km elevated line between Zaroli Village (MH/GJ Border) and Vadodara | Larsen & Toubro | 4 years (1490 days) From October 2020 |
| Package C5 (Gujarat): 8.198 km elevated viaduct and station within Vadodara City | Larsen & Toubro | 4 years (1490 days) From October 2021 |
| Package C6 (Gujarat): 87.569 km elevated viaduct between Vadodara and Ahmedabad | Larsen & Toubro | 3.75 years (1370 days) from November 2019 |
| Package C7 (Gujarat): 18.133 km elevated viaduct and station within Ahmedabad | IRCON – DRA JV | 4.5 years (1643 days) From February 2021 |
| Package C8 (Gujarat): 2.126 km viaduct, building works at Sabarmati Depot | SCC – VRS JV | 4 years (1461 days) From February 2021 |
| Package P1(b): Construction of 4 PSC Bridges & 7 Steel Truss Bridges between Zaroli and Vadodara. | MG Contractors | |
| Package P1(c): Construction of 1 PSC Bridge & 4 Steel Truss Bridges between Vadodara and Ahmedabad. | MG Contractors | |
| Package T2: Design, Supply & Construction of Track and Track related works between Zaroli Village and Vadodara (237.10 km) | IRCON International | |
| Package T3: Design, Supply & Construction of Track and Track related works between Vadodara and Sabarmati Depot and workshops (114.60 km) | Larsen & Toubro |
Mumbai Ahmedabad Bullet Train Surat Route:
Considering the bullet train map in Surat, Surat would be the very first station that would be constructed for the Mumbai Ahmedabad bullet train. The location of the Bullet Train Station in Surat will be Antroli Village (near Kadodara). As per the latest news, the work on four prime stations in Gujarat that is Bharuch, Surat, Bilimora, and Vapi has accelerated and is expected to be ready by December 2024. And as per NHSRCL, Surat would be the first to be ready with the station. Again, as per the railway minister, the first bullet train in India would operate between Bilimora and Surat in the year 2026 covering a distance of 50 km.
Mumbai Ahmedabad Bullet Train Architecture and Culture:
Talking about the design of the stations, the local culture and architecture of the city would be considered. The new design of the station or station façade would consider the different functional requirements of every station in terms of massing, size, material, and volume.
The new design of the stations would facilitate plenty of natural light allowing the passenger areas with amazing sky views. For instance, the importance of speed would be revealed at the Vapi station. The Bharuch station would be designed with cotton weaving designs, in honor of 150-year-old art and artists. Talking about Vadodara city, the city is named after the Vad or Banyan tree. Hence the station would be designed with foliage and a profile of the Banyan tree. Similarly, the design of the Ahmedabad station would be enthused by Syed Siddique Jali. The Sabarmati station would be designed by the Charkha of Mahatma Gandhi inspired by the Sabarmati Ashram. Surat is also popular for the diamond industry there. And hence, the theme of the Surat station would be inspired by Diamonds. Bilimora is popular for the mango orchards and hence, the station would be designed with the history of mangoes.
FAQs Related to the Mumbai – Ahmedabad Bullet Train
What Will be Speed of Mumbai Ahmedabad Bullet Train?
The Mumbai - Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail will have a maximum speed of 350 Km/h, Operational Speed of 320 Km/h and Average Speed of 250 Km/h.
How Many Bullet Train Stations will be there in Mumbai - Ahmedabad High-speed Route?
There will be 12 stations are proposed as of now, Mumbai BKC, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand/Nadiad, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati.
How much will be Stoppage at Each Station of Bullet Train?
The Bullet Train will stop for 165 Seconds at Each station.
What Kind of Bullet Trains (Rolling Stocks) will be used?
The E5 Series of Shinkansen High-Speed Train will be used in Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train.
Henceforth, considering the bullet train in India map, all the stations in Gujarat are under construction currently. No doubt, the deadline was set for 15th August 2022 by the Indian Government, however, it wouldn’t be possible to encounter it due to the land acquisition issues initially in the Maharashtra state.