India's ambitious high-speed rail project, the country's first bullet train linking Mumbai and Ahmedabad, is nearing completion and poised to begin operations soon, according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The announcement was made during a virtual flag-off ceremony for multiple express trains.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train will cover a distance of 508 kilometers and is designed to run at speeds of up to 320 km/h, drastically cutting travel time between the two major cities to approximately two hours and seven minutes, compared to the current travel time of over six hours by conventional rail.

This route will connect Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to key cities in Gujarat, including Vapi, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, and Ahmedabad. The project is being executed by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) with technical and financial assistance from Japan through a soft loan agreement signed in 2017.

"This is a historic moment in India's transportation development. The bullet train will set a new benchmark for speed, safety, and passenger comfort in the country," said Minister Vaishnaw, as The Hindu and Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

Beyond the bullet train, Minister Vaishnaw also provided updates on ongoing railway development across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. He noted that since the beginning of the current administration, over 34,000 kilometers of new railway tracks have been constructed, averaging 12 kilometers per day. Additionally, 1,300 railway stations nationwide are currently undergoing modernization and redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, aiming to enhance passenger amenities, multimodal connectivity, and station accessibility.

The high-speed rail initiative, part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) missions, marks a significant leap forward in rail infrastructure development. It is expected to stimulate economic activity along the corridor, generate employment opportunities, and offer a faster, greener alternative to air and road travel.

With trial runs expected to begin in selected sections by mid-2026, the full commercial operation is targeted for 2027, according to NHSRCL.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train demonstrates India's commitment to technological advancement in rail transport. It positions the nation among global peers already operating high-speed rail services, such as Japan, China, and France.