Mumbai – Ahmedabad Bullet Train: BKC Station's work moves rapidly and is expected to be operational in 2028
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday that construction work at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) station is the origin of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train to develop rapidly.
Vaishnaw visited the BKC's lower underground station and he reviewed the progress with officials from the National High Speed Railway Company Limited (NHSRCL), Central Railway and Western Railway. The BKC station is part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Expressway Rail Corridor Project, which is more than 500 km long.
He told reporters that the lowest B3 basement level has been completed and wall reinforcement work is underway. “Wall work at the station has begun, and tunnel work is also progressing very quickly,” PTI reported.
Vaishnaw pointed out that the BKC station will be a multi-layer structure. He added: “The operational area will be located at levels B1 to B3. B3 will be used as a train parking area, B2 will accommodate operational functions, and the ground level of B1 will serve passengers. Work is underway to build this world-class station.”
NHSRCL officials added that approximately 76% of the excavations at the BKC station site have been completed.
The railway minister also said that construction work outside Shil Phata's tunnel department has gained great momentum after the land acquisition in Maharashtra.
Panvel, Juinagar, freight corridor work inspection
After checking the BKC website, Vaishnaw heads to Navi Mumbai, where he evaluates infrastructure work at Panvel and Juinagar train stations. He said on Panvel that the government is committed to modernizing the Mumbai railway network with a long-term vision.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi guides us on our vision for the next 50 years. In that spirit, we are building a major coaching dock in Panvel, which will be the starting point of the train,” Vaishnaw said.
He added that the new terminal is to handle the increased passenger load and improve operational efficiency.
The final stage of freight corridors to alleviate traffic congestion
Vaishnaw also reviewed a dedicated freight corridor, calling it a key project close to completion. He said the corridor’s connection to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) is in good shape and will help shift the cargo away from busy passenger lines, improving train movement and clear routes in the suburbs of Mumbai.
He stressed: “The goal is not only to expand, but to transform – to make Indian railways more efficient, safer and ready in the future.”
Project funding and expected timetable
Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed railway corridor totals Rs 108 crore. The central government will donate Rs 1,000 crore, while Gujarat and Maharashtra will donate Rs 50,000 crore respectively. The remaining funds will be sourced through loans in Japan at an interest rate of only 0.1%.
Last week, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the bullet train project is expected to be operational in 2028.
(with PTI input)
