The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project has achieved a significant milestone with the breakthrough of the first section of the 21-kilometer undersea tunnel between Ghansoli and Shilphata in Maharashtra. This 2.7-kilometer tunnel section is a crucial part of the 508 km Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor and highlights India's growing capabilities in constructing world-class infrastructure.
The undersea tunnel includes a 7-km stretch under Thane Creek. To expedite the tunnelling process in the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) portion, an Additionally Driven Intermediate Tunnel (ADIT) was constructed, enabling simultaneous excavation towards Ghansoli and Shilphata. The remaining 16 km of the tunnel is being constructed using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).
Comprehensive safety measures have been implemented at the site, including ground settlement markers, piezometers, inclinometers, strain gauges, and biometric access control systems. These measures ensure safe and controlled tunnelling activities without disturbing nearby structures.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor is being developed with Japanese Shinkansen technology. Japan has agreed to introduce its next-generation E10 Shinkansen trains for this project. These trains will debut simultaneously in India and Japan.
In addition to the tunnel breakthrough, the project has achieved several other milestones. Construction of 310 km of viaducts and 15 river bridges has been completed, with four more bridges in advanced stages of construction. Five of the 12 planned stations along the route are now complete, and three more are nearing completion. Work on all three elevated stations in Maharashtra – Thane, Virar, and Boisar – is progressing rapidly. The first slabs for Virar and Boisar stations have recently been cast.
The station at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) is an engineering marvel, located 32.5 meters below ground. Its foundation is designed to support the construction of a 95-meter-high building above ground. Track laying, construction of overhead electrical wires, and bridge construction are proceeding at a rapid pace.
The entire 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor includes 352 km in Gujarat and 156 km in Maharashtra. The success of this project is expected to lay the foundation for future bullet train corridors in India.
