The Ministry of Railways has strongly denied claims that India is rejecting Japanese bullet train technology for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad project. Dismissing such reports as fake news, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to the Japan-backed Shinkansen system, including the next-gen E10 trains. Major construction milestones have already been achieved.
The Ministry of Railways has categorically refuted reports suggesting that the Indian government has decided to abandon Japanese bullet train technology for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project. Terming such news as “fake and misleading,” the Ministry issued an official statement clarifying that no such decision has been made.
Responding to a wave of misinformation circulating on social media and in some news articles, the Ministry stated: “Some articles and social media posts claim that the Ministry of Railways has decided to not run the Japanese bullet train on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. This claim is misleading! The Railway Ministry has made no such decision.”
The Ministry reiterated that the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, India’s first high-speed rail line, continues to progress as per plan with full cooperation from the Japanese government. The project, which spans 508 kilometers, is being developed using cutting-edge Japanese Shinkansen technology known for its unmatched speed, safety, and reliability.
E10 Shinkansen: A Symbol of Strategic Ties
Highlighting the strong bilateral partnership between India and Japan, the Ministry noted that the Government of Japan has committed to introducing the next-generation E10 Shinkansen trains for this project. Remarkably, this new technology will be simultaneously launched in both Japan and India, marking a significant milestone in Indo-Japanese cooperation.
“In the spirit of the strategic partnership between India and Japan, the Government of Japan has decided to introduce the next-generation E10 Shinkansen trains for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad project,” the statement read.
The Ministry emphasized that the collaboration between the two nations goes far beyond technical exchange and stands as a testimony to the trust and shared vision between India and Japan.
Rapid Progress on Construction Front
Refuting the baseless claims of technological rejection, the Ministry instead highlighted recent major milestones achieved in the project’s execution. A key development is the successful completion of 310 kilometers of viaduct construction along the bullet train alignment.
Additionally, civil engineering work has gained momentum across Maharashtra and Gujarat. Fifteen river bridges have already been completed, and four more are in their final stages. Out of the twelve planned stations along the route, five are fully constructed, while three are nearing completion.
A standout feature of the project is the engineering marvel at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), where a 21-kilometer undersea tunnel is being built to connect BKC to Thane. This tunnel is being heralded as one of the most challenging and sophisticated infrastructure components of the entire project.
Electrification, Track Laying, and Station Development in Full Swing
According to the Ministry’s statement, various other key components of the project are also proceeding at a rapid pace. These include track laying, the installation of overhead electrical lines, and the construction of stations and bridges.
“Track laying, construction of overhead electrical wires, stations, and bridges is going on at a rapid pace. The construction work in Maharashtra has also picked up pace. In parallel, the progress on procurement of systems for operations and control is also going on well,” the Ministry informed.
This comes amid increasing public interest and scrutiny of the bullet train project, which is seen as a transformative step in India’s rail infrastructure development.
The Ministry of Railways has made it abundantly clear that the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project remains firmly committed to using Japanese technology, particularly the next-gen E10 Shinkansen trains. Dismissing the misleading reports as “fake news,” the Ministry reaffirmed its dedication to the strategic Indo-Japanese partnership and reiterated that significant progress is being made across all fronts of the project.
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With engineering marvels like the BKC undersea tunnel and rapid advancements in civil work, the bullet train project is set to redefine India’s transportation landscape. Once completed, it will not only revolutionize high-speed travel in the country but also stand as a symbol of Indo-Japanese friendship and technological excellence.
