India is building its first ever bullet train — and it is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects the country has ever undertaken. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor, often called the India Bullet Train, will connect two of India's biggest cities in just about 2 hours. Here is everything you need to know about this historic project in 2026.

What Is the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train?

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project is a 508-kilometre high-speed railway line that will connect Mumbai to Ahmedabad using Japanese Shinkansen E5 series technology. The project is being developed by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) with technical and financial support from Japan.

When completed, trains will run at a maximum speed of 320 kmph, making it the fastest train in Indian history. The journey that currently takes 6 to 8 hours by the fastest trains like Shatabdi or Tejas will be reduced to approximately 2 hours and 7 minutes.

This is not just a train — it is a complete transformation of how Indians will travel between major cities.

Route Map and All 12 Stations

The bullet train will stop at 12 stations across Gujarat and Maharashtra. Here is the complete list from south to north:

1. Mumbai (BKC) — The southern terminus located at Bandra-Kurla Complex, India's first underground bullet train station.

2. Thane — Serving the densely populated Thane city, one of Mumbai's busiest satellite cities.

3. Virar — Catering to the massive population of Mumbai's extended western suburbs.

4. Boisar — A developing industrial hub in the Palghar district.

5. Vapi — The first station in Gujarat, serving the industrial town of Vapi.

6. Bilimora — Serving the Navsari district, known for its mango orchards and Parsi heritage.

7. Surat — One of the major stops. Surat is India's diamond capital and one of the fastest-growing cities.

8. Bharuch — An ancient city on the banks of the Narmada river with growing industrial importance.

9. Vadodara — The cultural capital of Gujarat, home to the Laxmi Vilas Palace and MS University.

10. Anand/Nadiad — Serving the milk capital of India (Anand) and the nearby city of Nadiad.

11. Ahmedabad — The current operational terminus at Sabarmati, Gujarat's largest city.

12. Sabarmati — The northern terminus, located near the famous Sabarmati Ashram and the new Sabarmati railway hub.

Speed and Travel Time

The bullet train will operate at different speed profiles depending on the section:

• Maximum speed: 320 kmph
• Operating speed: 300 kmph on most sections
• Mumbai to Ahmedabad (non-stop): Approximately 2 hours 7 minutes
• Mumbai to Ahmedabad (all stops): Approximately 2 hours 58 minutes
• Mumbai to Surat: About 57 minutes
• Surat to Ahmedabad: About 48 minutes

To put this in perspective, the current fastest train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad — the Tejas Express — takes about 6 hours 30 minutes. The bullet train will cut this by more than two-thirds.

Expected Fare and Ticket Price

While official fares have not been announced yet, NHSRCL has indicated that bullet train tickets will be priced competitively to attract passengers who currently fly between the two cities. Based on estimates and government statements:

• Second Class (non-reserved): Around 2,000 to 2,500 rupees
• Reserved Ordinary: Around 2,500 to 3,000 rupees
• Business Class: Around 4,000 to 5,000 rupees
• Premium/First Class: Around 6,000 to 8,000 rupees

For comparison, a one-way flight between Mumbai and Ahmedabad typically costs 3,500 to 7,000 rupees. The bullet train aims to be cheaper than flying while being almost as fast when you factor in airport check-in and security time.

The government has also hinted at dynamic pricing similar to airlines, where early booking gets cheaper fares.

Construction Progress in 2026

The project has seen significant progress in recent years:

Completed milestones:

• Over 350 km of the total 508 km corridor has foundation or pier work completed
• The Sabarmati depot (main maintenance facility) is largely ready
• 98 percent of land acquisition in Gujarat is complete
• Multiple viaduct sections in Gujarat are ready for track laying
• The first trainset from Japan has been shipped for testing

Currently underway:

• The 21-km undersea tunnel near Mumbai is being bored using massive tunnel boring machines (TBMs)
• The BKC underground station in Mumbai is under active construction
• Track laying has begun on completed viaduct sections in Gujarat
• Testing infrastructure is being set up near Bilimora

Expected timeline:

• Gujarat section (Surat to Ahmedabad) likely to start trial runs by late 2026 or early 2027
• Full corridor completion is targeted for 2028-2029

Technical Features of the Bullet Train

The train will use Japan's proven Shinkansen E5 series technology, the same trains that run between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori in Japan. Key features include:

• 10-car trainsets with approximately 750 seats per train
• Earthquake detection system — trains automatically slow down when seismic activity is detected
• Fully air-conditioned coaches with aircraft-style seating
• Dedicated high-speed track — completely separated from the existing railway network
• Elevated viaduct for most of the route, minimizing land acquisition and level crossings
• Advanced signalling — Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) system
• Regenerative braking — recovers energy during braking, making it more energy efficient

How Will Bullet Train Tickets Be Booked?

While the exact booking system is not yet confirmed, it is expected that:

• Tickets will be available through the IRCTC website and app, similar to other trains
• A dedicated NHSRCL booking portal may also be launched
• QR-based e-tickets and contactless entry gates are planned
• Reserved and unreserved categories will be available
• Booking may open 120 days in advance, similar to regular trains

Once the bullet train is operational, you will likely be able to check availability and book tickets through ConfirmYatra as well.

Impact on Indian Railways and Travel

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train is expected to transform travel patterns in western India:

• Airlines will face competition on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, potentially lowering flight prices
• Real estate near bullet train stations, especially in cities like Surat, Vadodara, and Boisar, is already seeing price increases
• Business travel between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will become significantly easier
• Tourism in Gujarat is expected to boost as weekend trips from Mumbai become feasible

The success of this corridor will also determine whether India builds more bullet train lines. Routes under consideration include Delhi-Varanasi, Delhi-Ahmedabad, Mumbai-Nagpur, and Chennai-Bengaluru.

How to Plan Your Current Mumbai-Ahmedabad Trip

Until the bullet train starts running, here are the best current options on Indian Railways between Mumbai and Ahmedabad:

• 12009/12010 Shatabdi Express — The fastest option at about 6.5 hours
• 12931/12932 Mumbai Central - Ahmedabad AC Duronto — Overnight, about 7 hours
• 22953/22954 Gujarat Superfast Express — Popular daily option

You can check live availability, train schedules, and current fares for all Mumbai-Ahmedabad trains on ConfirmYatra. Use our search feature to find the best train for your travel date, check seat availability in real time, and track your train's live running status on the day of journey.

The bullet train is coming, but until then, ConfirmYatra helps you make the most of every train journey across India.