Dubai-Mumbai Underwater Train Not a Confirmed Project Yet
The idea of a high-speed underwater railway between the UAE and India is still being studied and has not received official approval.
- Publish date: Tuesday، 08 April 2025 Last update: since 2 day
The much-talked-about underwater train that could one day connect Dubai to Mumbai is still just a concept, according to Abdulla Al Shehhi, managing director of The National Advisor Bureau Limited.
Despite recent media buzz in India, Al Shehhi clarified that the project remains in its initial feasibility study stage. It was first proposed back in 2018 but has not moved beyond early analysis.
No official green light or funding yet
Al Shehhi said that the idea is still being reviewed and needs government approval before moving forward. Until then, funding discussions remain off the table. “It’s too early to confirm when approvals might happen,” he told Khaleej Times.
The proposed rail line aims to boost regional trade and improve passenger connectivity across the Gulf and South Asia. Potential routes mentioned include links between the UAE, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Train to use futuristic maglev tech under the sea
If the project moves ahead, the underwater train would reportedly use magnetic levitation (maglev) technology, allowing speeds up to 1,000 km/h. It would run through submerged concrete tunnels about 20 to 30 meters beneath the surface of the Arabian Sea, with built-in anchors for stability.
Regional trade and resource sharing part of long-term vision
Aside from moving passengers faster between countries, the train could also help transport oil from the UAE to India and even bring fresh water from India’s Narmada River back to the UAE, according to Al Shehhi.
He added that if completed, the UAE would become a major trade gateway for the region. However, for now, the underwater railway idea remains one of many ambitious proposals—like the bureau’s earlier suggestion to tow icebergs from Antarctica to the Gulf.
No official timeline has been given for when or if the project will go beyond the concept stage.
