| Tapan Kumar Das |
Ahmedabad, Sep 7: The first trial run of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train is likely to be conducted on August 15, 2027, with the project authorities aiming to commission the high-speed rail service at the earliest, a senior official overseeing the project implementation told visiting media persons from Arunachal Pradesh here on Monday.
The official said the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project has made substantial progress, with major civil, track and tunnel works advancing along the 508-km corridor connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
As of August 30, 2026, viaduct construction has been completed over 365 km, while pier work has been completed over 455 km. The project has also completed 17 river bridges, five prestressed concrete (PSC) bridges and 15 steel bridges.
Around six lakh noise barriers have been installed along 299 km of the alignment. Construction of the reinforced concrete (RC) track bed has been completed over 222 km, while 215 km of track slabs have been manufactured. Of these, 98 km have been laid and Cement Asphalt Mortar (CAM) injection completed.
In electrification works, more than 9,100 overhead equipment (OHE) masts have been installed along 203 km of the viaduct.
The project has also achieved significant milestones in tunnel construction. The only mountain tunnel in Valsad district of Gujarat has been completed, while breakthroughs have been achieved in three of the seven mountain tunnels in Palghar district of Maharashtra.
Of the 21-km underground tunnel section between Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphata in Maharashtra, around five km has been excavated using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). The remaining 16 km will be constructed using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).
Excavation has commenced from both directions using TBMs. The first machine is operating from the Vikhroli shaft towards the under-construction Mumbai Bullet Train station, while the second is working from Sawli (Ghansoli) towards Vikhroli.
Construction is underway at all three rolling stock depots at Sabarmati and Surat in Gujarat and Thane in Maharashtra.
Work is also progressing at all 12 bullet train stations along the corridor, with finishing works underway at all eight stations in Gujarat.
The project authorities are simultaneously advancing track, electrification, station and rolling stock infrastructure with the objective of making the corridor operational at the earliest.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project covers a 508-km corridor, with the majority of the alignment passing through Gujarat and the remaining section through Maharashtra.
A major component of the project is the High Speed Rail Multimodal Hub at Sabarmati, designed to provide seamless connectivity among the Sabarmati railway stations, Metro station, the under-construction Sabarmati Bullet Train station and the Bus Rapid Transit System.
The state-of-the-art building, being developed as an integral part of the MAHSR project by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), is the first building associated with India’s first Bullet Train project to receive a Gold Rating from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
The iconic structure features a large stainless-steel mural depicting the Dandi March, reflecting Sabarmati’s historical significance in India’s freedom movement. Its aesthetic appeal is complemented by landscaped areas featuring indigenous plant varieties arranged in a step-garden format.
The third-floor concourse will provide passenger amenities including waiting lounges, retail outlets and restaurants. Above the concourse, the building is divided into two blocks connected by terraces at two levels.
Block A will have six floors of office space, while Block B, comprising four floors, will accommodate a hotel with rooms, banquet and conference facilities, a swimming pool and restaurant.
The hub will also have dedicated pick-up and drop-off bays and parking facilities for around 1,200 vehicles.
Designed with a focus on sustainability, the building incorporates solar panels, landscaped terraces and gardens, energy-efficient fixtures and extensive use of natural light, besides offering views of the surrounding area.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project is one of the flagship infrastructure initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and marks a major step towards introducing high-speed rail technology in India.
The project is expected to substantially reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad while bringing modern railway infrastructure, advanced technology and enhanced passenger amenities to the corridor.
It is also expected to contribute to improved connectivity and stimulate economic activity and urban development along the route.
With major civil works progressing rapidly and track, tunnel, station, depot and multimodal infrastructure being developed simultaneously, the project is entering a crucial phase ahead of the proposed trial run in August 2027.