The Centre on Thursday announced a long-awaited timeline for India’s first bullet train, with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stating that the Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor will become operational on August 15, 2027.
The announcement marks a significant step in India’s railway modernisation programme.
The ambitious project, currently under construction, is expected to drastically reduce travel time between Mumbai in Maharashtra and Ahmedabad in Gujarat, while introducing global benchmarks in rail infrastructure and safety standards.
Addressing the media, Vaishnaw said the project is progressing at full pace and will usher India into the era of high-speed rail connectivity.
First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train
In a parallel development, the railway minister also announced the introduction of India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train, which is set to begin operations on the Guwahati–Kolkata route.
The train will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming days.
Vaishnaw said the sleeper variant has completed all mandatory testing and certification processes. “The complete testing and certification of the Vande Bharat sleeper train has been completed. Its first route is proposed to be Guwahati–Kolkata. This achievement is a major milestone,” he said.
On December 30, 2025, the minister had shared a video on social media platform X showing the sleeper version undergoing high-speed trials, demonstrating stability as the train accelerated from 178 kmph to 180 kmph within seconds.
According to the Railway Ministry’s year-end review, Vande Bharat sleeper trains are expected to transform long-distance overnight travel. The services will initially be introduced on high-density routes and later expanded across the rail network, significantly cutting journey times.
The trains are manufactured by BEML Limited using technology developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF). Each 16-coach rake includes AC First Class, AC 2-Tier and AC 3-Tier coaches, with a total passenger capacity of 1,128. With a top speed of 180 kmph, the Vande Bharat sleeper is among the fastest overnight trains in the country.
At present, Indian Railways operates semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains with a design speed of 180 kmph and a maximum operational speed of 160 kmph.
The sleeper version is designed to combine the comfort of premium long-distance trains with advanced modern technology, setting a new standard for overnight rail travel in India.
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