India To Conduct Feasibility Studies For Bullet Trains Across Country

The government has decided to undertake feasibility studies for bullet train corridors in the north, south, and east regions of India. President Droupadi Murmu said in her address to the joint session of the parliament yesterday (27 June).

She emphasised that these studies reflect the government's commitment to enhancing connectivity and fostering economic growth through advanced transportation systems.

President Murmu also referenced the ongoing high-speed rail project between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, which is making rapid progress. "Work on the High-Speed Rail Ecosystem between Ahmedabad and Mumbai is also progressing at a rapid pace," she noted.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, spanning 508 kilometres with 12 stations, 24 river bridges, eight mountain tunnels, and one undersea tunnel is being hailed as an infrastructural marvel. It is being implemented by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).

The high-speed rail operating at 320 km h will traverse along west India’s landscape, covering a 508.17 km distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in just about two hours.

This will save time compared to current travel time between the two terminal stations by about nine hours (by bus) or six hours (by conventional railways).

The NHSRCL has projected the completion of its first phase between Surat and Bilimora by August 2026.

The feasibility studies for new bullet train corridors are expected to pave the way for further advancements in India's rail infrastructure, contributing to the vision of a more connected and economically vibrant nation.

In her speech, President Murmu also highlighted the government's broader efforts to enhance the public transport system in India. "In 10 years, Metro has reached 21 cities, reports Financial Express.

Work is going on in many schemes such as Vande Metro," she said, underscoring the rapid expansion and modernisation of urban transit systems across the country.