Bullet Train Vapi-Surat Civil Work Likely to Finish by December 2026: Ashwini Vaishnaw
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The civil construction on the Vapi-Surat section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor is expected to be completed by December 2026, as per Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Surat-Bilimora Next on Target
Speaking to the media at Ahmedabad Airport, Vaishnaw said work on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project is progressing faster than expected.
The Vapi-Surat section is expected to be completed by December, after which construction towards Surat-Bilimora will gain pace. The Surat-Bilimora section has been targeted for completion next year.
Civil, track and other infrastructure work is currently underway across different parts of the bullet train corridor in Gujarat.
First Bullet Train Trial Coach Ready
Work on the bullet train coaches has also moved ahead, with the first coach intended for trials now ready.
Vaishnaw said the project is progressing rapidly and expressed confidence that passengers could experience the country’s first high-speed rail service next year.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is being developed with infrastructure and technology designed for high-speed train operations.
Gujarat Set for Railway Projects Worth Over Rs 35,000 Crore
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate, dedicate and lay foundation stones for railway infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 35,000 crore in Gujarat on September 8, 2026.
The projects include the Vadodara-Ratlam third and fourth railway lines, gauge conversion between Miyagam Karjan, Choranda and Malsar, and doubling of the Vishwamitri-Dabhoi section.
The Jobat-Tanda Road new railway line will also be inaugurated.
Dedicated Freight Corridor Sections to Be Dedicated
The Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors are being developed as major routes for freight movement across the country.
The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor connects JNPT with Dadri, while the Eastern corridor runs from Ludhiana to Sonnagar. Newly completed sections of the Dedicated Freight Corridor will be dedicated to the nation on September 8.
Four new freight trains will also be flagged off on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.
New Passenger Train to Improve Gujarat Connectivity
A new passenger train service between Tanda Road and Vadodara’s Pratapnagar station will also be introduced.
The service is expected to improve rail connectivity for passengers, including those travelling from tribal and remote areas.
Ratlam-Vadodara Capacity to Get a Boost
The proposed third and fourth railway lines between Vadodara and Ratlam are aimed at increasing capacity on the busy route.
Vaishnaw said four-lining work is being undertaken across seven major railway corridors as part of a wider capacity expansion programme. The Vadodara-Ratlam project is part of this effort to handle rising passenger and freight traffic.
