vaishnaw-japanese-minister-review-bullet-train-works-in-surat

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Japan’s Transport Minister Hiromasa Nakano on Friday inspected the high-speed rail construction site in Surat, underscoring the growing Indo-Japanese partnership on India’s first bullet train project.

 

The visit, according to the railway ministry, highlighted bilateral collaboration on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor. “Hon’ble ministers reviewed key components of the project, including the track slab laying car and the track slab adjustment facility,” the ministry said in a statement.

 

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far. “Both the ministers expressed satisfaction with the quality standards being followed and commended the rapid pace of construction,” it added.

 

The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), which is executing the project, said the 508-km corridor will significantly shorten travel time between Maharashtra and Gujarat. “After starting from Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) area in Maharashtra, the high-speed train running at a speed of 320 km/h will revolutionise intercity travel in the region and will integrate the economies of Mumbai, Vapi, Surat, Anand, Vadodara & Ahmedabad,” an NHSRCL official said.

Also read: Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train moves closer to launch

The project, billed as transformative for western India’s economy, will also serve industrial hubs. “It would provide high-speed rail connectivity to the industrial towns of Boisar, Bharuch & Ankleshwar and the upcoming Vadhvan Port (through Boisar Station). It will have stops at 10 cities in between, namely Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and will terminate at Sabarmati,” the official added.

 

According to the ministry, the journey between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will take about 2 hours and 7 minutes with limited halts at Surat, Vadodara and Ahmedabad, a sharp contrast to conventional rail and road travel.

 

Vaishnaw recently said the bullet train project, first announced in 2017, is slated for completion by the end of 2029.