India’s ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project—commonly known as the country’s first bullet train—continues to make steady strides, with significant engineering milestones achieved across its 508 km stretch. According to the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), nearly 60% of the viaduct work is now complete, signaling tangible progress toward the long-awaited high-speed rail revolution.
The Blueprint: Connecting Two Economic Powerhouses
The project spans 508 kilometers in total, with 352 kilometers passing through Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and the remaining 156 kilometers in Maharashtra. The corridor will feature 12 state-of-the-art stations connecting key urban hubs such as Mumbai, Thane, Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad.
This modern transport initiative is expected to redefine intercity travel by slashing journey times to under three hours between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, boosting trade, tourism, and regional development.
Engineering Milestones Achieved
As of April 18, 2025, NHSRCL provided the latest status on the monumental civil engineering effort:
Viaduct Construction: 293 kilometers of viaducts are already in place.
Pier Foundation Work: 394 kilometers of pier foundations and 375 kilometers of piers have been completed.
Girder Casting: 320 kilometers worth of girders have been cast.
Bridge Building: 14 major river bridges across Valsad, Navsari, Surat, and Kheda have been completed.
Special Structures: Seven steel bridges and five prestressed concrete (PSC) bridges have been erected to handle challenging terrain.
Gujarat: Leading the Charge
Gujarat remains the frontrunner in construction progress:
Around 143 kilometers of track bed has been developed in the state.
Over 3 lakh noise barriers have been installed across 150 kilometers to mitigate sound pollution.
Rail welding for 200-meter-long track panels is actively ongoing.
Out of eight stations in Gujarat, six have completed structural work, giving a clear lead over other segments.
Maharashtra Focuses on Tunnels and Stations
While Gujarat accelerates above-ground work, Maharashtra is diving deep—literally.
The 21-kilometer tunnel connecting BKC to Shilphata has seen 3.3 kilometers of cumulative tunnel heading completed using the advanced New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM).
Seven mountain tunnels are under execution in Palghar district, tackling rocky terrain with specialized methods.
Vikhroli and Sawli shafts have reached depths of 56 meters and 39 meters, critical for underground connectivity.
Mumbai Bullet Train Station: A Complex Undertaking
At the heart of Maharashtra’s bullet train infrastructure is the Mumbai station, located at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). Work here is intensifying:
75% of total earthwork (out of 18.7 lakh cubic meters) has already been completed.
25,000 cubic meters of temperature-controlled concrete has been poured for the station’s base slab, with a total target of 2 lakh cubic meters.
Secant piling, involving 3,384 piles, has been completed—a foundational achievement for the station’s underground structure.
A Giant Leap in Infrastructure
With this pace of construction, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train is shaping up to be more than just a mode of transport—it’s becoming a symbol of India’s aspirations in high-speed infrastructure and engineering capability. While the final stretch may still take a few years, the progress so far underlines a resolute commitment to transforming how India travels.
