STN: The Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train project moved forward with the completion of the second 100-metre span of a steel bridge over National Highway 48 near Nadiad in Gujarat. NH-48 connects Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, making this an important location for the project.
The first 100-metre span of this bridge was launched in April 2025. Together, both spans form a 200-metre-long steel bridge. This is the ninth steel bridge completed in Gujarat, out of 17 planned for the state.
Details of the New Steel Bridge
The bridge has two spans of 100 metres each. Its total weight is 2,884 metric tonnes. The structure is 14.6 metres tall and 14.3 metres wide.
Engineers assembled the spans on temporary trestles at a height of 14.9 metres. They used an automatic system to shift the spans into place. The process involved two semi-automatic jacks with a lifting capacity of 250 tonnes each, supported by mac-alloy bars.
The bridge also uses 114,172 Tor-Shear Type High Strength bolts. It is supported by elastomeric bearings and coated with a C5 painting system for durability.
Steel Bridges Planned for Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train
The Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor will include 28 steel bridges. Maharashtra will have 11, while Gujarat will have 17.
Steel Bridges Completed in Gujarat
So far, nine steel bridges have been completed in Gujarat.
| Sr. No. | Location | Length (metres) | Weight (MT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Across National Highway 53, Surat | 70 | 673 |
| 2 | Over Vadodara–Ahmedabad main line, near Nadiad | 100 | 1,486 |
| 3 | Over Delhi–Mumbai National Expressway, near Vadodara | 230 (130 + 100) | 4,397 |
| 4 | Near Silvassa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli | 100 | 1,464 |
| 5 | Over Western Railways, Vadodara | 60 | 645 |
| 6 | Over DFCC and Western Railways tracks, Surat | 100, 60 | 2,040 |
| 7 | Over DFCC tracks, near Vadodara | 70 | 674 |
| 8 | Over DFCC tracks, near Bharuch | 100 | 1,400 |
| 9 | Over NH-48, near Nadiad | 2 × 100 | 2,884 |
Overview of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train
The Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train project covers a distance of 508.17 kilometres. It will connect Mumbai in Maharashtra with Ahmedabad in Gujarat through 12 stations.
Once the project is complete, travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will reduce to just over two hours. The project is expected to bring faster connectivity and improve transport infrastructure in western India.
FAQs on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project
A: The first phase is expected to start by 2026–2027, depending on construction and testing progress.
A: The train will run at speeds of up to 320 km/h.
A: There will be 12 stations between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, including Thane, Virar, Surat, Vadodara, and Sabarmati.
A: The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) is developing the project with support from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
A: The train will use Japan’s Shinkansen technology, known for its speed, safety, and efficiency.
