What happened
India said the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project remains on schedule despite criticism over delays. The Union government said Japan will supply E10 series Shinkansen trains for the project in the early 2030s, while the first section is expected to open in 2027.
The Ministry of External Affairs said a critical social media post by former Japanese Minister Hideki Makihara reflected an individual opinion and did not match the facts on the ground. Officials said construction is progressing and that India and Japan are continuing discussions on the project.
Background and earlier position
The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor is a 508-km project. Japan has been central to the project through financing, technology, and engineering support.
The present update adds two important points. First, India said the initial operations will use an indigenously developed high-speed train planned for the Surat–Bilimora stretch, with a target speed of about 280 kmph. Second, Japan’s E10 trains are still under development and will arrive later, around 2030 to the early 2030s.
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