New Delhi: India’s inaugural bullet train service will commence operations on August 15, 2027, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Thursday, providing the first concrete timeline for the long-awaited Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor. The declaration marks a significant step forward in India’s railway modernization efforts and addresses widespread public curiosity about when the ambitious project will become operational.
#WATCH | Delhi: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, "The bullet train will be ready in 2027, August 15th, 2027. The first section to open will be from Surat to Bilimora. After that, Vapi to Surat will open. Then Vapi to Ahmedabad will open, and after that, Thane to Ahmedabad… pic.twitter.com/vpal8NqNpE
— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2026
Construction on the high-speed rail project is currently underway and is expected to dramatically cut travel time between Maharashtra’s Mumbai and Gujarat’s Ahmedabad while bringing world-class rail infrastructure to India.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Unveiled
In a separate development, Vaishnaw unveiled India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train, which is set to begin service on the Guwahati-Kolkata route. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the service in the coming days, the minister stated.
The railway minister confirmed that the Vande Bharat sleeper train has cleared all testing and certification requirements. He emphasized that the new service will deliver international-standard amenities, improved safety features, and a contemporary travel experience for passengers on long-distance overnight journeys.
VIDEO | India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Class train will run on the Kolkata-Guwahati route.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 1, 2026
Addressing a press conference, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, “The train starting from Guwahati will serve Assamese cuisine, while the one from Kolkata will offer Bengali food… pic.twitter.com/i0TpjFGM7B
“The complete testing and certification of the Vande Bharat sleeper train has been completed. Its first route is proposed to be Guwahati–Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first Vande Bharat sleeper train on this route in the coming days. This achievement is a major milestone,” Vaishnaw said.
VIDEO | Delhi: Addressing a press conference, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw discusses the technology and design of Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, highlighting advanced safety systems, modern aerodynamics, improved suspension, energy-efficient traction, and enhanced passenger… pic.twitter.com/bBeHLqXzB5
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 1, 2026
On December 30, 2025, the minister posted footage on social media platform X showing the sleeper variant undergoing high-speed testing. The clip captured the train’s smooth performance as it accelerated from 178 kmph to 180 kmph in seconds.
The Railway Ministry’s year-end assessment indicates that Vande Bharat sleeper trains are poised to transform long-distance rail travel nationwide. The trains will initially serve high-traffic corridors before expanding to additional routes, substantially reducing journey times.
BEML Limited manufactures the Vande Bharat sleeper trains using technology created by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF). Each 16-coach train features AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier compartments, accommodating 1,128 passengers. With a maximum speed of 180 kmph, it ranks among India’s fastest overnight train services.
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Indian Railways currently runs semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains designed for 180 kmph with an operational ceiling of 160 kmph. The sleeper edition seeks to merge Rajdhani Express-level comfort with cutting-edge technology, establishing a new benchmark for overnight rail journeys in India.