Italcertifer SpA appointed ISA for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Bullet Train Project

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): Italian certification and safety specialist Italcertifer S.p.A. has received a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for undertaking consultancy services related to the Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) of the prestigious Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project.

NHSRCL had invited bids for this long-term consultancy contract with a duration of 2,558 days. Technical bids were opened on 1 October 2025, revealing participation from only two firms. Following detailed technical evaluation completed on 14 November 2025, both bidders were declared technically qualified. The financial bids were subsequently opened on 14 January 2026, after which Italcertifer S.p.A. emerged as the lowest bidder and was formally issued the LoA.

Financial Bid Summary

• Italcertifer S.p.A. – ₹53.6 crore

• Aether Engineering Solutions Pvt. Ltd. – ₹147.4 crore

Scope of Work

The contract involves the selection of a consultant for Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) of the MAHSR project. The ISA role is critical to ensure that all systems, subsystems, and interfaces of India’s first high-speed rail corridor comply with the highest international safety standards across design, construction, testing, commissioning, and operations.

The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor is a 508.17-km-long under-construction project connecting Maharashtra and Gujarat through 12 stations:

• Mumbai (Bandra Kurla Complex)

• Thane

• Virar

• Boisar

• Vapi

• Bilimora

• Surat

• Bharuch

• Vadodara

• Anand/Nadiad

• Ahmedabad

• Sabarmati

The project is being developed with Japanese Shinkansen technology and is expected to set new benchmarks in speed, safety, and passenger comfort in India.

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mata Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said: “The appointment of Italcertifer as the Independent Safety Assessor for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project is a crucial milestone for India’s high-speed rail journey. Independent safety assurance is the backbone of any world-class rail system, and bringing in globally experienced players strengthens confidence in project execution. This decision reinforces India’s commitment to adopting international best practices in safety, governance, and system integration for next-generation rail infrastructure.”

A Critical Step Toward High-Speed Rail Readiness

With the ISA consultancy now in place, NHSRCL has moved a step closer to ensuring that the MAHSR corridor meets stringent global safety and reliability benchmarks. The engagement of Italcertifer is expected to play a vital role in de-risking the project and supporting India’s ambition to join the league of countries operating safe, reliable, and technologically advanced high-speed rail networks.