Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Japan Rail Official Defends Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Timeline
India is building a high-speed train line between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Masafumi Shukuri, a high-speed rail expert, said the project should not simply be called late because it is large and is India’s first of its kind.
He pointed to land acquisition problems and disruption from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The line was first expected to be finished in 2022, but the full route is now expected to be ready in 2029.
A section between Surat and Vapi is planned to start running by the end of 2027.
India-made B28 trains are planned for the first services.
Shukuri said workers need training and the trains need enough testing.
A former Japanese minister had criticized the project’s progress.
Masafumi Shukuri said India’s Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project should not be described as delayed, citing its scale and unforeseen challenges.
He pointed to land acquisition difficulties and disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 508-kilometre line was initially targeted for completion in 2022; the full corridor is now expected to be completed by 2029.
The Surat–Vapi section in Gujarat is scheduled to begin services by the end of 2027, using India-made trains initially.
India’s B28 trains are being developed by BEML; Shukuri said staff training, technical expertise and sufficient testing are important for safe, reliable operations.
- Who
- Masafumi Shukuri, chairman of the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute and International High-Speed Rail Association, commented on the project.
- What
- Shukuri defended the pace of India’s Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project and said it should not be described as delayed.
- When
- Shukuri spoke on the sidelines of the Kautilya Economic Conclave; the article does not specify the date. The first section is scheduled to begin services by the end of 2027, with full completion expected in 2029.
- Where
- The 508-kilometre route connects Mumbai and Ahmedabad; the first planned operating section is between Surat and Vapi in Gujarat.
- Why
- Shukuri cited the project’s scale, land acquisition challenges and disruption from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Project defended
Project criticized
Whether the project is delayed
Project defended
Masafumi Shukuri said it should not be called delayed, citing the line’s scale, its first-of-its-kind status in India, land acquisition issues and pandemic disruption.
Project criticized
Hideki Makihara, a former Japanese justice minister, alleged in July that India had shown “sheer recklessness” in executing the project and that this had stalled its progress.
- Project
- Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail, described as India’s first bullet train project
- Route length
- 508 kilometres
- Initial completion target
- 2022
- Expected full completion
- 2029
- First planned services
- Surat–Vapi section in Gujarat, scheduled by the end of 2027
- B28 train
- Two train sets are being developed by BEML; design speed is 280 km/h and maximum operating speed is 250 km/h
- B28 schedule
- Manufacturing is scheduled to finish by April 2027, with testing planned for May–July and commercial operations targeted by December 2027
- Japanese systems
- The Shinkansen train, signalling system and Operation Control Centre arrangements have not yet been finalised between India and Japan; the E10 Shinkansen is not expected before 2034
