New Delhi: The Gujarat section of the Ahmedabad–Mumbai bullet train project between Sabarmati to Vapi will be complete by December 2027, the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday. Vaishnaw was replying to a question in Lok Sabha during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.

Vaishnaw, in his reply, said, “The Gujarat portion of the corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by Dec 2027. The entire project (Maharashtra to Sabarmati section) is expected to be completed by Dec 2029. However, the bullet train project is a very complex and technology-intensive project. Exact timelines for the completion of the project can be reasonably ascertained after the completion of all associated works of civil structures, track, electrical, signaling & telecommunication and supply of trainsets.”

The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project (508 km) is under execution with technical and financial assistance from the Government of Japan. The project is passing through the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, with 12 stations planned at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.

“Total estimated cost of the MAHSR project is approximately Rs. 1,08,000 crore, out of which Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding 81% of the project cost i.e. Rs. 88,000 crore. The balance 19% cost i.e. Rs. 20,000 crore will be funded through equity contribution from the Ministry of Railways (50%) and state governments of Maharashtra (25%) and Gujarat (25%). Cumulative financial expenditure of Rs. 78,839 crore has been incurred on the project till 30.06.2025,” he added.

The Minister also noted that the delay in land acquisition in the state of Maharashtra had impacted the project till 2021. However, currently, the entire land (1389.5 Ha.) for the MAHSR project has been acquired. The Final Location Survey and geotechnical investigation have been completed, and alignment finalized. All statutory clearances relating to wildlife, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and forest clearance have been obtained. All the civil contracts of the project have been awarded. Out of the total 28 tender packages, 24 tender packages have been awarded.

Sharing the current update on the project, the Minister said, “Till now, 392 km of pier construction, 329 km of girder casting and 308 km of girder launching have been completed. The work of the under-sea tunnel (approx. 21 km) has also started. In order to expand the HSR network in India beyond the MAHSR corridor and to meet the growing passenger demand between major cities of commercial/economic and tourist importance, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are being prepared by National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).” DeshGujarat