Bullet Train Project Cost Soars Due to Delays

Significant Cost Increase Over Four Years

A delay of over four years has led to an astonishing 83% increase in the cost of India’s first Bullet Train project, raising expenses to approximately Rs 1.98 lakh crore. The initial cost was sanctioned at around Rs 1.1 lakh crore. The first leg of the project, connecting Surat and Bilimora, is slated for inauguration in August 2027, with the entire 508-km corridor expected to be completed by December 2029.

Factors Contributing to Cost Overruns

During a recent briefing regarding the Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Rail Corridor, NHRSCL’s Railway Board CEO, Satish Kumar, addressed the escalation in costs. He mentioned that “while the final sanction for the revised cost is yet to be taken, it’s around Rs 1.98 lakh crore. It’s still under revision… It will be finalized within a month or two.”

The project has encountered several hurdles, including:

• Delays in land acquisition
• Challenges in obtaining statutory clearances
• Finalization of rolling stock (trains)

Current Progress of the Project

As of November 30, the physical progress of the Bullet Train project stood at 55.6%, while financial progress reached 69.6%. By the end of November, approximately Rs 85,801 crore had already been expended on the project. Recently, PM Narendra Modi urged the railway ministry to expedite the project’s completion during a review meeting.

Major Milestones Achieved

In a significant development, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently witnessed the final breakthrough of a 1.5-km-long mountain tunnel in Maharashtra’s Palghar district. "A big milestone has been achieved today. This achievement is the breakthrough of the mountain tunnel 5,” he stated.

This new tunnel is one of the longest in the Palghar area, located between the Virar and Boisar bullet train stations. This marks the second tunnel breakthrough in Maharashtra, following the completion of a 5-km-long underground tunnel between Thane and BKC in September 2025.

Environmental Benefits of the Corridor

This high-speed rail corridor, extending through Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, is designed to accommodate bullet trains at speeds of up to 320 km/h. Importantly, it is also built to support advanced Japanese E10 series Shinkansen trains, enabling operations at an even higher speed of 340 km/h.

Once completed, the corridor is expected to lead to nearly a 95% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to traditional road transport, highlighting its potential for promoting sustainable travel in India.