Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Update: Rs 79,000 Crore Spent So Far; Commercial Operations By 2027
The Vapi-Sabarmati section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project in Gujarat is expected to be ready by December 2027 while the entire corridor connecting Mumbai will be operational by the end of 2029, the Railway Ministry informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. As of June-end, Rs 78,839 crore has been spent on the project.
The expected timeline of the train operations coincides with the scheduled assembly polls in the two states – Gujarat around 2027 end and Maharashtra towards the end of 2029.
Two MPs from Gujarat – Surat MP Mukesh Dalal and Kheda MP Devusinh Chauhan – had asked the ministry about the status of the project — started in September 2017.
The High Speed Rail Project, famous as India's first bullet train – is currently under execution with technical and financial assistance from the Government of Japan, the Ministry explained.
The 508 km route covers Gujarat, Maharashtra and Dadra & Nagar Haveli with 12 stations planned – one each at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.
'The Gujarat portion of the corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by December 2027. The entire project (Maharashtra to Sabarmati section) is expected to be completed by December 2029," the Ministry said.
However, the Ministry also said that the bullet train project is a very complex and technology intensive Project.
' Exact timelines for the completion of the project can be reasonably ascertained after the completion of all associated works of civil structures, track, electrical, signaling & telecommunication and supply of trainsets," it added.
In March 2024, Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had announced that the services between Surat and Bilimora will be ready by 2026.
Spending Touches Rs 79,000 crore
Total estimated cost of the MAHSR project is Rs 1.08 lakh crore. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding 81 per cent of the project cost (Rs 88,000 crore). The remaining 19 per cent (Rs 20,000 crore) is funded through equity contributions from the Ministry of Railways (50 per cent) and Maharashtra (25 per cent) and Gujarat (25 per cent) governments.
'Cumulative financial expenditure of Rs 78,839 crore has been incurred on the project till June 30," the Ministry added.
Earlier this month, News18 reported that the Japanese government has agreed to introduce E10 Shinkansen trains in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.
Japan currently operates the E5 series Shinkansen trains and the E10 is the next-generation upgrade. The E10 will be introduced simultaneously in India and Japan.
Execution Status: 4 Tenders Left
The Ministry informed the house that all the civil contracts of the project have been awarded. 'Out of total 28 tender packages, 24 tender packages have been awarded."
So far, 392 km of pier construction, 329 km of girder casting and 308 km of girder launching have been completed.
'The work of the under-sea tunnel (21 km approx.) has also started," the Ministry stated.
The Railways said that the delay in land acquisition in Maharashtra impacted the project till 2021.
'However, currently, entire land (1389.5 Ha.) for the MAHSR project has been acquired. The Final Location Survey and geotechnical investigation completed and alignment finalised. All statutory clearances relating to wildlife, coastal regulation zone (CRZ) and forest clearance have been obtained," it shared.
More Bullet Train Routes Expected
The Railway Ministry explained that in order to expand the bullet train network in India beyond MAHSR corridor and to meet the growing passenger demand between major cities of commercial/economic and tourist importance, Detailed Project Report (DPRs) are being prepared by National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).
'The HSR projects are highly capital intensive and any decision for taking up a new project is based on many factors such as technical feasibility, financial and economic viability, traffic demand and availability of funds and financing options," it stated.
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