Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India is set to operationalize its first bullet train by August 15, 2027, connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The 508 km corridor, designed for speeds of 320 kmph, will reduce travel time to just 2 hours and 17 minutes across 12 strategic stations. Emphasizing inclusivity, the Minister stated that this high-speed rail is specifically designed to be accessible and practical for the middle class while significantly reducing carbon emissions compared to road transport.

The project recently achieved a major milestone with the successful breakthrough of the fifth mountain tunnel. Despite initial delays in land acquisition in Maharashtra, construction is now in full swing, creating nearly one lakh jobs. Furthermore, the Minister confirmed that the Vande Bharat Sleeper train has completed its certification phase and will soon debut on the Guwahati-Kolkata route, offering a world-class overnight travel experience with enhanced safety features.