India’s First Bullet Train to Launch on August 15, 2027
India is gearing up for a landmark moment in its transportation history as the country’s first-ever bullet train is set to begin operations on August 15, 2027, according to an official announcement by Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The high-speed rail project, spanning approximately 508 km between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, is being built with Japanese Shinkansen technology and represents one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure endeavours yet.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor (MAHSR) - the backbone of the bullet train project - will be opened in stages. The first section, connecting Surat and Bilimora in Gujarat, is on track for its inaugural run on Independence Day 2027. Gradual extension of the route is planned, with subsequent sections between Vapi–Surat, Vapi–Ahmedabad, Thane-Ahmedabad, and finally the complete Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor becoming operational by 2029.
This phased rollout ensures safe and seamless introduction of high-speed travel while progressively enhancing connectivity across key urban and economic centres in western India. Once fully operational, the bullet train is expected to dramatically reduce journey times - covering long distances between major cities in under two hours while travelling at speeds of up to 320 km/h.
The project includes 12 stations across Gujarat and Maharashtra - notably Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati. The corridor’s development integrates cutting-edge engineering with advanced safety systems, making it a flagship initiative for modernising India’s rail network.
Beyond the bullet train itself, railway authorities are also preparing for future expansions of high-speed rail technology and connectivity enhancements across the country, paving the way for faster and more efficient inter-city travel in the years to come.
