Viral ‘First Look’ of Proposed Ahmedabad–Mumbai Bullet Train Only ‘Representational’

New Delhi: Several media reports claiming that the first look of the proposed bullet train for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor had been revealed garnered widespread attention and sparked excitement among people eager for a glimpse of the country’s first high-speed rail service.

The image, installed at Gate No. 4 of Rail Bhawan, was widely reported as the first official look of India’s upcoming bullet train on Monday. However, after the matter gained widespread attention, Railway Board officials clarified that the display was only a representational image and not the final design of the train.

“It is a representational image and not the final one. We might remove it if it creates a controversy,” a senior railway official told a news agency.

The official added that the bullet train project, regarded as one of the country’s most ambitious initiatives, has generated widespread public interest and excitement.

The ₹1.1 lakh crore Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, spanning 508 kilometres, will connect 12 stations: Mumbai (Bandra Kurla Complex), Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand/Nadiad, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the mega project at Sabarmati in Ahmedabad in September 2017. Earlier, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said India’s first bullet train service is expected to commence operations by August 2027.

Speaking at the inaugural Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference at Ganpat University in Mehsana last year, Vaishnaw said work on the project was progressing rapidly, particularly in Gujarat. He noted that major construction activities, including wire duct installation and girder placement had been completed, while track-laying and electrical work were underway.

The high-speed corridor will also feature eight mountain tunnels. Maharashtra will account for seven tunnels with a combined length of 6.05 km, while Gujarat will have one tunnel measuring 350 metres. DeshGujarat