India's first bullet train run likely in June-July 2026: Report

India will seal the deal to procure the first six Shinkansen (bullet) trains from Japan by the end of the month, the report said.

Published on: Mar 7, 2024, 01:21:10 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

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The Indian Railways is ‘confident’ that the country's first bullet train will commence operation in June-July 2026 in Gujarat, as India will seal the deal to procure the first six Shinkansen (bullet) trains from Japan by the end of the month, the Times of India has reported.

An E5 Shinkasen series bullet trains. (Representational Image/Shutterstock)

Also Read | First stretch of Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed train ready by 2026: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Also, as per the report, the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) will bid out all contracts, including the one on the procurement of trains and operating system, by August 15 this year.

India's first bullet train project will connect the cities of Mumbai (Maharashtra) and Ahmedabad (Gujarat) and construction work is currently underway.

‘More progress in Gujarat than Maharashtra’

Till January 2024, the project's overall physical progress stood at around 40%, officials said, adding that the progress is more in Gujarat (48.3%) than in Maharashtra (22.5%).

Also Read | Watch: Railway minister shares video of India’s first bullet train station

“There is a remarkable progress in Maharashtra in recent months. The state administration has directed all district collectors to complete the handover of the land by this month end. We are working hard to see how we can push the physical progress to compensate for the time we lost because of the earlier Maharashtra government,” a railway ministry official told the newspaper.

‘Limited-stop’ and ‘all-stop’ services

The 508-km-long Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor will have services that will both halt only at a limited number of stations, and at all stops. While the limited-stop services will complete the journey in just two hours, the all-stop counterparts will take forty-five additional minutes to reach their destination.

Also Read | Bullet train project: 250 km pier, 100 km viaduct construction completed

Additionally, over the past year, more than 100 km of the viaduct (elevated stretch) has been completed in the corridor, and six river bridges have been built. The route's Gujarat portion has 20 bridges, of which as many as seven have been constructed.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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