Construction for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is progressing in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. In a written response to the Lok Sabha, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday (July 31) detailed that all 1,389.5 hectares of land required for the project have been acquired.
As of now, 350 kilometers of pier foundations, 316 kilometers of pier construction, 221 kilometers of girder casting, and 190 kilometers of girder launching have been completed. Work has also commenced on the approximately 21-kilometer undersea tunnel.
508-kilometer corridor to have 12 stations
Vaishnaw highlighted that the 508-kilometer corridor will feature 12 stations: Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati. The total project cost is estimated at Rs 1,08,000 crore.
The minister added that the bullet train project is technologically advanced and incorporates high safety and maintenance standards, supported by Japanese railway expertise and tailored to Indian conditions.
Timelines for completion
Completion timelines will be determined after the finalisation of civil structures, track work, electrical systems, signaling, telecommunications, and trainset delivery.
The project, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on September 14, 2017, is being closely monitored.
National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), established on February 12, 2016, is overseeing the project as a joint venture with equity from the Central Government and the state governments of Gujarat and Maharashtra.