The work on India’s first bullet train is progressing swiftly. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video revealing that a 300 km long viaduct for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is now complete. Additionally, a 40-meter long box girder near Surat, Gujarat, is also finished. Apart from the Railway Minister, the State Transport Minister has shared some photos and details too.
Out of the 300 km structure, 257.4 km is constructed using full-span launching technique, accelerating the progress significantly. This phase has seen the construction of several river bridges, steel and PSC bridges, and station buildings. To date, the project has completed 383 kilometers of piers, 401 km of foundation, and 326 km of girder casting. A total of 12 stations are being built along this bullet train route.
When Will the Bullet Train Start Running?
India’s first bullet train station in Surat is almost ready. Remaining work is being completed at a war pace. It is reported that around 157 kilometers of track bed have been laid in Gujarat. It is expected that trial runs for the bullet train could begin next year, aiming for full service by 2029.
Source: aajtak
Products Being Manufactured in India
Most of the materials used in this project are being made within India. Launching gantries, bridge gantries, and girder transporters are all domestically produced. This signifies India’s self-reliance in high-speed train technology. The full-span technology has accelerated construction speed by up to 10 times, with each span girder weighing approximately 970 tons. Additionally, to minimize noise, over 300,000 sound barriers are installed on either side of the viaduct.
Source: aajtak
Possible Bullet Train Start Between These Stations
Special depots are being constructed for the bullet train in Maharashtra and Gujarat. If everything proceeds smoothly, the Shinkansen train coaches from Japan could arrive early next year, facilitating the bullet train operation between Surat and Bilimora by August 2026.
Source: aajtak
It is noteworthy that the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw frequently updates and shares posts regarding the progress of the bullet train work.
