Nagpur–Mumbai Bullet Train Plan Stalled as Centre Delays Approval and Funding

The plan to build a high-speed bullet train line between Nagpur and Mumbai has not progressed and is on hold currently, even though it was first suggested almost four years ago, in 2022. The aim was to build a 750-kilometre high-speed rail route, linking Nagpur with Mumbai, passing through big

cities including Nashik, Shirdi, and Aurangabad. If built, this bullet train could run at speeds of up to 350 km/h, cutting the current rail travel time from about 12 hours to roughly 3.5 hours.

Preparation of DPR

The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL) completed initial surveys and prepared a detailed project report (DPR). However, the government at the Centre has not yet given final approval. Without this central clearance, work cannot begin. In the latest national budget, the government announced seven new bullet train corridors, but the Nagpur-Mumbai route was not included. This omission has disappointed many people, especially in the Vidarbha region, who feel their area is being ignored again.

Proposed Metro Line

Officials said preliminary work has been done, but now there's uncertainty about when or if the project will proceed. They think more popular routes, such as ones involving Mumbai and Pune, may have been given priority. The proposed line would have included several stations, long tunnels, and required large areas of land. Its cost is expected to be higher than that of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project because the distance is much longer.

Moreover, the Nagpur-Mumbai bullet train idea remains stuck in planning, waiting for government approval and funding before it can become a reality.