India's indigenous bullet train to begin testing by mid-2027

India’s first indigenously manufactured bullet train is expected to begin track testing by May or June 2027, according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Speaking at an event in Vadodara, Vaishnaw announced that the train’s body frame has been completed and has been sent for squeeze testing.

The high-speed rail project, part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, aims to significantly reduce travel times. For instance, the journey between Vadodara and Mumbai is projected to take approximately 90 minutes. Following a testing period of two to four months, the minister indicated that the Prime Minister would inaugurate the service.

In addition to the bullet train, Vaishnaw highlighted broader railway modernization efforts, including the redevelopment of 280 stations and the laying of 36,000 km of new tracks. He noted that the Surat-Vapi section of the high-speed corridor is expected to be completed by December 2026.