Japan ex-minister blames India for Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train delay

A former Japanese minister has launched a sharp attack on New Delhi over the prolonged delays in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, accusing the Indian side of 'sheer recklessness'. The remarks have escalated tensions around a flagship infrastructure project that was once seen as a symbol of deepening India-Japan ties.

The ex-minister, who oversaw Japan's transport and railway portfolio, did not mince words. He blamed Indian bureaucracy and decision-making for the slow pace of work on the 508-km high-speed rail corridor.

'Recklessness' charge stings

Speaking to Japanese media, the former minister said the Indian side had shown a "sheer recklessness" in its handling of the project. He claimed that repeated changes in requirements and a lack of coordination from Indian authorities had pushed the timeline far beyond the original 2022 deadline.

"The Indian minister was awful," he was quoted as saying by India Today, without naming the specific Indian official. The remarks signal growing frustration in Tokyo over a project that Japan has backed with soft loans and technical expertise worth over ₹1 lakh crore.

Officials in New Delhi have not yet responded directly to the comments. However, Indian Railways has maintained that the project is "progressing well" and remains on track for a 2027 launch.

Progress on the ground

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor, India's first bullet train project, was awarded to Japan in 2015. It is being built with Japanese Shinkansen technology and a loan covering 81% of the total cost, repayable over 50 years with a 0.1% interest rate. The original deadline of 2022 was missed due to land acquisition hurdles, the COVID-19 pandemic, and design changes.

As of mid-2026, civil works on the Gujarat section have progressed, with pier construction and girder launching visible. But the Maharashtra section, particularly the 21-km tunnel under the Thane creek and the terminus at BKC in Mumbai, has lagged. Land acquisition in Maharashtra remains a sticking point, with only about 70% of the required land handed over so far, according to official data.

Japanese contractors have also flagged issues with the relocation of utilities and slow clearances from multiple state agencies.

Japan's E10 plan adds twist

The timing of the ex-minister's criticism is notable. Japan has recently unveiled its next-generation Shinkansen, the E10 series, which promises higher speeds and better energy efficiency. Tokyo had earlier offered to supply the E5 series for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor. With the E10 now in development, some in Japan's industry question whether India should wait for the newer technology—or whether Japan should even continue with the original deal at all.

The Times of India reported that the former minister's remarks were partly aimed at pressuring India to accelerate work and commit to a clear timeline. Sources in Japan's transport ministry have indicated that Tokyo may seek a renegotiation of the loan terms if delays persist.

Meanwhile, Indian officials have publicly pushed back. A senior railway official told NDTV that "work is progressing smoothly" and that a 2027 launch is achievable. He cited the completion of 250 km of viaducts and 150 km of track laying in Gujarat as signs of momentum.

But ground reports suggest a more complex reality. The Deccan Herald noted that only a fraction of the project's budget has been spent so far, and that civil works in key sections remain incomplete.

The project now faces a crucial test. If work does not pick up pace in the coming months, the 2027 deadline may also slip. And with Tokyo's patience wearing thin, the diplomatic fallout could complicate not just this railway line but broader India-Japan infrastructure cooperation.

What happens next depends on how quickly New Delhi can clear bottlenecks in Maharashtra and reassure its Japanese partner that the corridor—once a symbol of shared ambition—is not turning into a cautionary tale.