Surat Will Get India’s 1st Railway Station For Bullet Trains; 1st Bullet Train Will Run Between These Two Cities

The government is all set on completing the project of getting India’s first bullet train running between Surat and Bilimora, Gujarat in 2026, ensuring that a good progress towards the direction is being established.

At the same time, the Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated that slight problems have surfaced in the implementation of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, as about 30% land acquisition by the Maharashtra government still stands incomplete.

Here’s everything you need to know on the developments.

Surat-Bilimora Bullet Train Project: Estimated Timeline of Completion

In a recent inspection visit conducted by Ashwini Vaishnaw in Surat, to check on the progress of the government’s ambitious bullet train project between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, the railways minister noted that the development was going on at a good pace.

He is confident of achieving the target of running India’s first bullet train between Surat and Bilimora in 2026.

“We are keeping the target of running the first bullet train between Surat and Bilimora in 2026. The progress is very good, and we are confident of running the train by that time,” Vaishnaw informed the reporters.

The Japanese body Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA is funding a significant 81% of the project cost, estimated at about Rs 1.1 lakh crore.

A total of 61 km of the set route has already been pillared up, out of a 150 km stretch, and the remaining work is going on.

“It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to provide ultra modern and best services, such as redevelopment of railway stations, new Vande Bharat trains, Kavach (automatic train protection system), bullet trains…We are working to fulfill the aspirations of 130 crore Indians,” said Vaishnaw.

Land Acquisition Problem in Maharashtra

Looking at the status of development made in the bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that it looks difficult for Maharashtra to implement the bullet train project.

This is because out of a total 433.82 hectare of land required in the state, covering areas of Mumbai, Thane and Palghar, only 310.14 hectare has been acquired so far, while 123 hectare is required more.

“This is a national project and there should not be any politics over it. I believe we would set an example of working together on this project… The progress (in Maharashtra section) is slow. We hope there will be more progress,” stated the Unioin Minister.