Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (November 15) inspected the under-construction bullet train station in Surat, Gujarat, and reviewed the overall
progress of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor (MAHSR). His visit focused on assessing construction speed, key project milestones, and preparations for India’s first bullet train network. The prime minister landed at the Surat airport in the morning and reached the Antroli area, where a bullet train station is under construction. PM Modi interacted with officials and reviewed the work. Later in the day, PM Modi will visit Dediapada town in the tribal-dominated Narmada district, where he will address a gathering to mark the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda. He will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for infrastructure and development projects costing more than Rs 9,700 crore. Before addressing the gathering, the prime minister will offer prayers at the temple of Pandori Mata, the clan deity of the tribal community, in Devmogra village of Sagbara taluka, 23 km from Dediapada.
Details about Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor
MAHSR, one of India's most ambitious infrastructure projects, spans approximately 508 km, covering 352 km in Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and 156 km in Maharashtra.
The 21-km underground stretch will connect Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) to Shilphata, Maharashtra, with a 7-km undersea section beneath Thane Creek. This is part of the INR 1.08 lakh crore high-speed rail project linking Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Two advanced methods are being used to build the tunnel: Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for 16 km of the stretch, and the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) for the remaining 5 km for precision excavation.
The speed potential of the main line is 320 kmph and 80 kmph for the loop line. Moreover, the most modern technologies have been used in the project to ensure the safety and efficient movement of trains.
Also Read: Built in 12 Days! Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Viaduct Launched Over Girdhar Nagar Flyover—See Pics
When will train services begin?
As the train project is slated to open in 2027, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw earlier said that the full Mumbai–Ahmedabad route is expected to become operational by 2029. By 2028, the entire Thane-Ahmedabad section will be commissioned, and by 2029, the entire Mumbai-Ahmedabad section will open.
The entire heavy work for Surat station is completed, and finishing and utility works are progressing faster along with the track link, Vaishnaw said.
Notably, this bullet train project will turn economies of all major cities from Mumbai to Ahmedabad into one and spur growth like Japan did when the first bullet train was introduced.
