India, July 6 -- India is entering a new era of rail travel with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor, its first bullet train project, which is setting the template for future expansion across the country.
Speed:
Design speed of 350 km/h, operational speed of 320 km/h - nearly double the Vande Bharat trains.
Standardisation:
Unified designs for piers, viaducts, tracks, stations, electrification, and signalling will streamline construction, reduce costs, and simplify maintenance.
Make in India Push:
Indigenous high-speed train sets (280 km/h) are being developed by ICF and BEML, with local manufacturing of slab-track systems, components, and equipment.
Timeline:
First service expected in August 2027, starting with the Surat-Vapi section.
Corridor Details:
508 km long, 12 stations, connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad in just 1 hour 58 minutes.
Technology:
Built with Japanese Shinkansen expertise, including advanced overhead electrification, ballastless track systems, and modern depots.
Future Vision
India plans seven additional high-speed rail corridors covering nearly 4,000 km, with routes like:
- Delhi-Varanasi (3h 50m)
- Chennai-Bengaluru (1h 13m)
- Mumbai-Pune (48m)
- Bengaluru-Hyderabad (2h)
Together, these projects represent investments of around Rs.16 lakh crore, aiming to transform connectivity, reduce travel times, and fuel long-term economic growth.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Travel Media.