03/12/2024
Gujarat Bullet Train Section Set to Open Fully by August 2027, Says Pramod Sharma, Director, NHSRCL
Surat-Bilimora Section of Gujarat Bullet Train Project to Start by June 2026, Says Pramod Sharma, Director Works, NHSRCL
Pramod Sharma, Director (Works) at the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), has announced that the Surat-Bilimora section of the Gujarat bullet train project is set to become operational by June 2026. This section, approximately 50 kilometers long, will be the first in India to operate at speeds of 320 km/h, a milestone for Indian railways.
Sharma emphasized that before passenger services commence, rigorous trial runs are essential to ensure safety and operational efficiency. "The trials are a critical step, and we are targeting June 2026 to begin operations on the Surat-Bilimora stretch," he said.
Talking about the project's current progress, Sharma shared that approximately 233 kilometers of the alignment work has already been completed. The foundation work is nearing completion, and significant progress is being made on garden reductions at a pace of 10 to 12 kilometers per month. "By December 2025, we aim to complete all alignment work across Gujarat," Sharma added.
The first milestone will be the operational launch of the 50-kilometer Surat-Bilimora section, followed by the extension towards Bilimora and Vapi. Sharma noted that once the initial 50 kilometers is operational, the aim is to extend it to 100 kilometers.
The Gujarat bullet train project is expected to be fully operational by August 2027. Following this, the focus will shift to Maharashtra for the next phase of the high-speed rail development.