India’s First Bullet Train to Run in 2027: Only Two Hours From Mumbai to Surat

India’s first bullet train is set to begin operating in August 2027, according to an announcement by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The inaugural run will take place on the 100-kilometre stretch between Surat and Vapi, which forms part of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor. The trains, designed to travel at a speed of 320 kilometres per hour, will enable passengers to reach Mumbai from Surat in just about two hours, with twelve planned stops along the way. The entire corridor is expected to become fully functional by 2029, and during peak travel hours, trains are expected to operate at intervals of around ten minutes. Japan’s advanced E10 Series Shinkansen models are likely to be deployed for the service, and the government has indicated that fares will be kept at levels accessible to the middle class. A significant highlight of the project is the undersea tunnel that forms part of the route, allowing bullet trains to travel in both directions at the same time.