Electrification work has started on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor in South Gujarat. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav made this announcement on his social media handle on X. He also posted pictures of the first electrical mast (14 m high) installed between Surat and Bilimora, the route where the bullet train will first move, possibly in the year 2026.
As per the official statement by NHSRCL, “The electrification work for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor has begun, with the first two steel masts erected on the viaduct at a height of 14m from the ground level in between Surat-Bilimora Bullet Train Stations in Gujarat.”
In total, over 20,000 masts, ranging from 9.5 to 14.5 meters in height, will be installed along the corridor. These masts will support the Overhead Equipment (OHE) system, including overhead wires, earthing systems, fittings, and associated accessories, forming the complete 2×25 kV overhead traction system for the MAHSR corridor suitable to run the Bullet train.
Promoting the Make in India policy, these OHE masts conforming to Japanese standard design and specifications are manufactured in India and would support the overhead traction system for high-speed trains.