Vaishnaw, Japanese Minister Tour High-Speed Rail Corridor in Surat

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Japan’s Transport Minister Hiromasa Nakano toured the bustling construction site of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor in Surat on Friday. Their visit underscored the deepening partnership between India and Japan, as the two nations collaborate to deliver India’s first-ever bullet train, a project poised to transform intercity travel and economic connectivity across western India.

The duo inspected critical elements of the 508-km corridor, including the state-of-the-art track slab laying car and the track slab adjustment facility, marveling at the precision and pace of construction. “The quality standards are world-class, and the progress is remarkable,” Vaishnaw declared, echoing Nakano’s praise for the project’s rapid advancement. The railway ministry’s statement highlighted the shared commitment to meeting stringent timelines, with the entire corridor slated for completion by the end of 2029—a target Vaishnaw reaffirmed earlier this month.

Managed by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail will connect Maharashtra and Gujarat with trains zipping at speeds of up to 320 km/h. Starting from Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the route will feature stops at 10 key cities—Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, and Ahmedabad—before terminating at Sabarmati. The express service, with limited stops at Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad, will slash the journey time to just 2 hours and 7 minutes, a fraction of the 5-7 hours required by conventional trains or road travel.

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“This corridor is more than a railway; it’s a catalyst for economic integration,” an NHSRCL official said. The bullet train will link industrial hubs like Boisar, Bharuch, and Ankleshwar, as well as the upcoming Vadhvan Port near Boisar, fostering trade and job creation. Surat, a global diamond and textile hub, is set to become a pivotal node, with its station designed to handle thousands of passengers daily. The project also incorporates cutting-edge Japanese Shinkansen technology, renowned for its safety and efficiency, ensuring a smooth, air-conditioned ride with amenities like Wi-Fi and ergonomic seating.

The Surat site visit comes amid growing excitement about the project’s potential to redefine regional connectivity. Since breaking ground in 2017, the corridor has overcome challenges like land acquisition delays and environmental concerns, with over 80% of the alignment now secured. Advanced construction techniques, including 21 km of undersea tunneling near Mumbai and viaducts spanning Gujarat’s rivers, showcase the project’s engineering prowess. The ministers also reviewed plans for eco-friendly stations, equipped with solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, aligning with India’s sustainability goals.

Public anticipation is high, but so are expectations for affordability and accessibility. Critics have questioned the project’s Rs 1.08 lakh crore price tag, urging the government to ensure fares remain competitive with air and road travel. Vaishnaw, addressing these concerns, emphasized job creation—over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs so far—and long-term economic benefits. “This is an investment in India’s future, connecting people and prosperity like never before,” he said.

As India and Japan push forward, the bullet train symbolizes a bold step toward modernizing the nation’s infrastructure. With Surat’s construction site humming and completion in sight, the dream of high-speed travel is fast becoming a reality, promising to reshape how millions move and thrive.

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