Delay in India's first Bullet Train Mumbai - Ahmedabad HSR line may double the project cost

Vaishnaw was accompanied by two officials on this pivotal trip, which precedes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Tokyo later this year. Sources indicate that the situation surrounding the project is sensitive and has implications for bilateral relations between Japan and India. As one insider noted, "The project cost has already increased and is expected to rise further. This is one of the major concerns, especially considering the substantial investments in infrastructure."

The construction of the high-speed rail line is primarily funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Reports earlier this year indicated that the first Shinkansen E5 bullet train, designed to operate at speeds of up to 320 km per hour, will take at least two years to arrive in India. Currently, Indian Railways is in discussions with Japanese authorities to finalize the timeline for train deliveries, with orders for the Shinkansen E5 expected to be placed by the end of this year.

The bullet train project was announced by Modi years before construction officially began in 2020. The corridor spans Maharashtra (155.76 km), Gujarat (384.04 km), and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (4.3 km), with an original completion timeline set for 2023. However, protests related to land acquisition have significantly delayed progress.

In March 2024, the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), which is overseeing the project, confirmed that all civil contracts in both Gujarat and Maharashtra had been awarded. The laying of the first reinforced concrete track bed for the corridor's track system, specifically designed for Japanese Shinkansen bullet trains, commenced in Surat and Anand. This innovative J-slab ballastless track system represents a first for India.

The NHSRCL recently highlighted a significant achievement with the completion of a 350-meter-long mountain tunnel in Gujarat’s Valsad district, finished in just ten months. Additionally, a 70-meter steel bridge weighing 673 metric tons has been constructed across National Highway 53 in Surat.

The groundwork for India’s first seven-kilometer undersea rail tunnel, part of a 21-kilometer tunnel connecting BKC and Shilphata in Maharashtra, has also commenced. During a previous announcement in February, Vaishnaw indicated that a 50-kilometer stretch between Surat and Bilimoria is anticipated to open by August 2026.

As the project progresses, resolving the ongoing challenges will be crucial not only for the successful implementation of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor but also for reinforcing the strong ties between India and Japan in infrastructure development.