This is Claire reporting on the latest updates regarding India’s first high-speed railway project. The National High Speed Rail Corporation, which is overseeing the 508km bullet train line between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, announced major progress this week.
The corporation declared that it has acquired all 1,400 hectares of land required for the $20 billion project across the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, except for a small area in Dadra & Nagar Haveli. This land acquisition was a major roadblock holding up construction progress.
Additionally, the agency has awarded all major civil engineering contracts in Gujarat and Maharashtra to various contractors. This sets the stage for accelerated progress on tunnels, bridges, railway tracks and stations along the route.
Construction Reaches Halfway Mark
The project has already achieved significant construction milestones, passing the halfway mark between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
In the city of Surat, about 261 km from Mumbai, the first reinforced concrete track bed required for the high-speed Shinkansen system has been laid. This section is also where the first 70m steel bridge has been constructed out of 16 total bridge projects.
Additionally, the first mountain tunnel spanning 350 meters near Zaroli village in Gujarat was fully completed in 10 months.
While the original deadline of December 2022 has been missed, officials are hopeful partial openings can begin in 2026. The 352km Gujarat section may be operational by 2027, with the complete Mumbai to Ahmedabad line finishing by 2028 as per latest estimates.
