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Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project: The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is advancing towards electrification, Union Railways Minister Ashwini
Vaishnaw announced Monday, offering a clear timeline for a project that has been eagerly awaited for years. This comes after Minister earlier this month announced that India is set to roll out its first-ever bullet train by August 15, 2027. According to the minister, installation of Overhead Electrification (OHE) masts has picked up pace along the high-speed rail corridor.
What is OHE masts?
The OHE masts are vertical steel structures installed alongside railway tracks that support overhead electric wires. They maintain the correct height, alignment and tension of the wires, enabling continuous and safe power supply to electric trains. They are a critical step before test runs and commercial operations can begin.
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OHE masts are currently being installed across major sections of the route, including elevated viaducts that carry the track above ground level. Each mast, standing between 9.5 metres and 14.5 metres tall, will support the overhead power lines required for high-speed electric trains. In total, more than 20,000 such masts will be installed along the Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor.
The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, stretching 508 km, will connect major cities across Maharashtra and Gujarat and is designed to run at speeds of up to 320 kmph. Once fully operational, the journey between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is expected to take under two hours, a sharp drop from the current six to seven hours.
Which Sections Will Open First?
Addressing the media at Rail Bhawan earlier this month, the minister said that the bullet train will not start all at once. Instead, it will open in phases:
- Surat to Bilimora will be the first operational section
- This will be followed by Vapi to Surat
- Then Vapi to Ahmedabad
- After that Thane to Ahmedabad
- Finally, the full Mumbai to Ahmedabad stretch will open
Vaishnaw said passengers will be able to travel on different sections as they become ready, even before the entire corridor is completed.
The bullet train will run on a 2×25 kV overhead traction power system, a globally proven technology designed to ensure smooth, safe and uninterrupted travel at high speeds. To support this system, a chain of Traction Substations and Distribution Substations is also being developed across the route to maintain a stable power supply.
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How Much Work Is Already Done?
Officials say construction is progressing steadily. Over 320 km of viaducts have already been completed, while work on bridges, tunnels, stations and electrification is moving forward simultaneously. More than 20,000 overhead electrification masts are being installed to support the high-speed traction system.The project is being built with Japanese collaboration, using Shinkansen technology, while most components are being manufactured in India under the Make in India initiative.
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Why This Matters for Everyday Travellers
Once operational, the bullet train is expected to:
- Save hours of travel time
- Improve connectivity between business hubs
- Boost local economies along the route
- Create jobs and support Indian manufacturing
Officials expect the first operational run in 2027, with the entire corridor fully functional by 2029.
