PM Modi to Review Bullet Train Project as Surat Station Nears Trial Run
Digital Desk
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the Antroli station of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project, popularly known as the bullet train, on 15 November. The visit comes as preparations for running India’s first bullet train between Surat and Bilimora enter a critical phase. Following the station visit, PM Modi will travel to Dediyapada to commemorate Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary.
Officials have arranged dual travel options due to unpredictable weather conditions. The Prime Minister is expected to land at Surat Airport, 24 km from Antroli station, with helicopter transfer being the primary mode of transport. A by-road option has been kept on standby if adverse weather prevents aerial travel.
A planning meeting chaired by Surat District Collector Dr. Saurabh Pardhi reviewed all preparations for the visit. Various sub-committees were formed to handle security, traffic, transportation, media, health services, and on-site management. “This visit is an important phase for reviewing the work of the nation’s flagship ‘Dream Project’,” Dr. Pardhi noted.
The diamond-themed station, designed to reflect Surat’s iconic industry, emphasizes passenger comfort and sustainability. Features include naturally lit platforms, well-ventilated concourses, multiple lifts and escalators, waiting lounges, nurseries, retail outlets, and amenities for the elderly, disabled, and families. Rainwater harvesting, low-flow sanitary fixtures, eco-friendly paints, and landscaped green spaces align with IGBC standards.
The station also integrates a multi-modal transport plan in collaboration with Surat Municipal Corporation and Surat Urban Development Authority, enabling seamless connections with metro trains, buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws.
Structural work, RC track bed construction, and temporary track laying are complete. Final activities, including interior decoration, roofing, and station amenities, are underway. Once operational, the bullet train is expected to significantly enhance connectivity, reduce travel time, and contribute to the region’s development.
