The completion deadline for India's first bullet train project, undertaken by The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), remains uncertain as revealed in an RTI response. The completion date will only be determined once all contracts required for the project have been awarded.
The project involves constructing a 508 km corridor between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, and while significant progress has been made, all contracts necessary for completion are yet to be awarded. Currently, 163 km of viaduct, 302 km of piers, and 323 km of foundations have been constructed. Additionally, 35 km of the viaduct has been handed over for track work.
The railway ministry source indicated that 100% of tenders for civil work for the entire corridor and tenders for track work in Gujarat have been awarded. The trial run between Surat and Billimora in Gujarat is anticipated to commence in 2026.
Union Railways Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw had previously expressed the intention to launch India's first bullet train by 2026. He highlighted key developments in the project, such as the completion of ballastless tracks and the installation of anemometers at key locations in Gujarat and Maharashtra to enhance safety measures.
While progress is being made, the exact completion date for India's first bullet train project remains contingent upon the awarding of all necessary contracts and the successful execution of the remaining construction work.
