Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Adds 28-Sensor Earthquake Safety System
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train will have a special system for detecting earthquakes.
It will use 28 machines called seismometers to watch for ground shaking.
Twenty-two machines will be placed along the railway line.
Six more will be placed in nearby areas that have had strong earthquakes.
If the system detects dangerous shaking, it will turn off electricity in the affected section.
The train will notice the power loss and use its emergency brakes.
This is meant to stop trains before stronger earthquake waves reach railway structures.
The system is based on technology used by Japan’s Shinkansen trains.
The 508-kilometre Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor will use 28 seismometers to detect earthquake activity.
If seismic activity crosses the threshold, power in the affected section will shut down automatically.
Trains will detect the power loss and activate emergency brakes to stop in the affected area.
Twenty-two sensors will be installed along the rail alignment, with six inland sensors in earthquake-prone locations.
The first service, using the B28 trainset, is targeted for August 15, 2027, on the 97-kilometre Surat-Vapi section.
- Who
- The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited is developing the corridor and its earthquake safety system.
- What
- The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor will receive a 28-seismometer system that can cut power and trigger emergency braking.
- When
- The first service is targeted for August 15, 2027; construction and system installation are currently underway.
- Where
- The 508-kilometre corridor will run between Mumbai and Ahmedabad through Maharashtra, Gujarat and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
- Why
- The system is intended to detect earthquakes early and stop trains before stronger seismic waves reach railway infrastructure.
- Corridor length
- 508 kilometres
- Train speeds
- 350 kmph design speed; 320 kmph planned operational speed
- First planned service
- 97-kilometre Surat-Vapi section, targeted for August 15, 2027
- Seismometers
- 28 total: 22 along the alignment and six inland
- Sensor locations
- Alignment sensors in Maharashtra and Gujarat; inland sensors at Kheda, Ratnagiri, Latur, Pangri, Adesar and Old Bhuj
- Project stations
- 12 stations: eight in Gujarat and four in Maharashtra
- Rolling stock contract
- BEML received a contract worth approximately ₹5,400 crore for train design, manufacture, supply, testing and commissioning
- Estimated project cost
- Approximately ₹1.08 lakh crore
