Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday highlighted the rapid progress of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project, with the first section targeted to commence service in the mid of 2027.
Construction of the first bullet train section is expected to be completed by December this year, he said while speaking to reporters, adding that extensive testing will be undertaken before the train enters service.
"Major components, including the car body, bogie, propulsion system, vehicle electronics, wheels and pantograph, are progressing. The train is currently undergoing a squeeze test to assess its body strength," he said.
Rapid Progress In India's First Bullet Train Project
Earlier last month, the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) said construction work on India's first bullet train project is making rapid headway across the scenic terrains of Thane and Palghar districts in Maharashtra. NHSRCL, in a statement on August 25, shared glimpses of ongoing progress. Vaishnaw had also highlighted the key achievements across the 135.45 km-long elevated stretch, which spans from Shilphata in Thane district to Zaroli village on the Maharashtra-Gujarat border.
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"The 135.45 km section includes 124.027 km of viaducts and bridges, connecting the high-speed rail corridor across varied terrain," the release stated. It said work is actively progressing on three elevated stations at Thane, Virar, and Boisar.
The Thane station has been specially engineered with its concourse level approximately 12 metres above natural ground level to protect and preserve local mangroves in the eco-sensitive zone. Pier construction is underway across more than 100 km, with nearly 74 km of piers already complete and ready for viaduct girders. To support this scale, 9 casting yards, 7 full-span launching gantries, and 8 SBS launching gantries are currently operational in Maharashtra, it added.
The project features 36 bridges and crossings, including 12 steel bridges spanning major railway lines, the Mumbai-Nashik Highway, and the Ulhas River.
(With PTI inputs)