The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project has made significant strides in recent weeks, marking key milestones in both Gujarat and Maharashtra. These achievements underscore the progress of this ambitious high-speed rail project, which aims to revolutionize travel between the two major Indian cities.
In Gujarat, the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has announced the completion of the 17th river bridge out of the 25 planned for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor. The Vishwamitri River bridge, located in Vadodara, spans 80 meters and is a critical component of the project within the district. Of the 25 total bridges, 21 are located in Gujarat, and the remaining four are in Maharashtra. This bridge consists of three piers, with one positioned in the river stream and two on either bank. Earlier this year, NHSRCL also completed the 360-meter bridge over the Daman Ganga River in Gujarat's Valsad district, marking the completion of the 16th river bridge for the project and all five bridges in the Valsad district. Other completed river bridges in the Valsad district include the Auranga (320 meters), Par (320 meters), Kolak (160 meters), and Darotha (80 meters).
Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, the project has achieved a breakthrough with the completion of the first section of the 21-km undersea tunnel between Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Thane. This 2.7-km section between Ghansoli and Shilphata represents a major milestone in the construction of the tunnel, which includes a 7-km-long undersea section beneath Thane Creek. The tunnel is being constructed using both the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) and Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). To expedite tunneling in the NATM portion, an Additionally Driven Intermediate Tunnel (ADIT) was constructed, allowing simultaneous excavation towards Ghansoli and Shilphata sides. Comprehensive safety measures have been implemented at the site, including ground settlement markers, piezometers, inclinometers, strain gauges, and biometric access control systems to ensure safe and controlled tunneling activities without disturbing nearby structures.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor, spanning 508 km, is being developed with Japanese Shinkansen technology. This technology will allow trains to operate at speeds of up to 320 kmph, reducing travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to approximately two hours. The Japanese government has also agreed to introduce next-generation E10 Shinkansen trains on the MAHSR corridor, which will debut simultaneously in India and Japan.
The project includes 12 stations, with 8 in Gujarat and 4 in Maharashtra. The Mumbai terminus at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) is an engineering highlight, located 32.5 meters below ground level and designed with a robust foundation capable of supporting a 95-meter high building above ground. Five of the 12 stations are complete, with three more nearing completion.
While the project is progressing, there have been challenges. In November 2024, a tragic incident occurred at a construction site near Vasad in Anand district, Gujarat, where three workers died after the collapse of an under-construction structure.
Despite these challenges, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project continues to advance, with significant progress in both Gujarat and Maharashtra. The completion of the 17th river bridge in Gujarat and the breakthrough in the undersea tunnel in Maharashtra mark important steps towards realizing India's first high-speed rail corridor.
