Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Pune, June 17: The construction work on India’s ambitious bullet train project is progressing at a fast pace, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in Pune after inaugurating the new Pune–Shirdi train service, the minister highlighted the rapid developments taking place in the high-speed rail initiative.

The minister stated that the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project is moving forward swiftly and the first phase of operations is expected to begin next year, along with its formal inauguration. He emphasized that the project is advancing at a significant speed and that India now possesses the capability to manufacture bullet trains domestically.

The Prime Minister has taken a strategic decision regarding the development of a major high-speed rail corridor. As a result of this decision, travel time on the proposed 170-kilometre Mumbai–Pune route is expected to be reduced to just 48 minutes, marking a major transformation in intercity connectivity.

The Railway Minister, this development will effectively turn Mumbai and Pune into “twin cities,” strengthening economic and social integration between the two urban centres. He described the route as an important economic corridor that is expected to evolve into a vibrant cultural hub as well.

Ashwini Vaishnaw also pointed out that the proposed high-speed connectivity will not be limited to Mumbai and Pune alone. He said that travel time between Pune and Hyderabad, covering a distance of around 500 kilometres, will be reduced to approximately 2 hours and 8 minutes.

He added that this enhanced connectivity will help create a strong economic ecosystem linking major cities such as Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vapi, and Thane. According to him, this interconnected network of cities will significantly boost economic activity, improve mobility, and contribute to the overall development of a highly integrated regional growth corridor.