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Bullet Train Milestone: 2nd Palghar Tunnel Breakthrough in 1 Month

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project has achieved its second mountain tunnel breakthrough in Palghar district within a month, marking rapid progress. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the 454-meter tunnel, excavated using the advanced New Austrian Tunnelling Method. He highlighted that stations and bridges are at an advanced stage and referenced new high-speed rail corridors from the Union Budget. The project is drawing global attention for its innovative construction and is a key part of India's modern rail infrastructure transformation.

Key Points: Bullet Train 2nd Tunnel Breakthrough in Palghar

  • Second mountain tunnel breakthrough in Palghar
  • 454-meter tunnel for up/down tracks
  • New Austrian Tunnelling Method used
  • Seven new high-speed corridors proposed
  • Rs 16,000 crore for Mumbai suburban network
2 min read

"Breakthrough achieved in second mountain tunnel in Palghar within 1 month": Ashwini Vaishnaw on bullet train project

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announces a second mountain tunnel breakthrough for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project within a month.

"The entire country is watching India's first rail speed project. - Ashwini Vaishnaw"

New Delhi, February 4

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project has achieved a major milestone with the successful breakthrough of the second mountain tunnel in Palghar district, Maharashtra, marking significant progress in India's first high-speed rail project.

On Wednesday, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the development, highlighting the project's rapid progress.

Addressing the media, the Railway Minister stated that the entire nation is watching the progress of the high-speed rail project, which is expected to transform intercity travel and strengthen India's modern rail infrastructure within a month.

The minister emphasised that the project's pace has instilled new confidence in the country, drawing global attention and appreciation for its innovative construction and technology

Vaishnaw said, "The entire country is watching India's first rail speed project. Its breakthrough was achieved in the second mountain tunnel in Palghar district within 1 month. The stations and bridges are at an advanced stage of development."

Vaishnaw also referred to broader railway development plans announced in the Union Budget, noting that seven new high-speed rail corridors have been proposed.

"Seven new high-speed corridors have been announced in the budget. Rs 16,000 crores' worth of work is underway for the Mumbai suburban network. The budget for Maharashtra railway is Rs 23,926 crore," he added.

This tunnel is 454 metres long with a width of 14.4 metres, and will accommodate both up and down tracks for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, according to an official release issued by the Ministry of Railways.

This is the second mountain tunnel breakthrough in Palghar district within a span of one month for the Bullet Train project, the first being MT-5 near Saphale on January 2.

As per the Railways Ministry, the mountain tunnel (MT-6) was excavated from both ends using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a cutting-edge drill-and-controlled blast method. The excavation is expected to be completed within 12 months.

A mountain tunnel breakthrough marks a key engineering milestone when excavation teams digging from opposite ends of the tunnel finally meet at the centre, forming a continuous passage through the mountain.

The New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) is favoured for its flexibility in complex geological conditions, such as in the Palghar district and irregular tunnel shapes, where tunnel boring machines are not suitable. This process does not require very heavy machinery and allows real-time adaptation using shotcreting, rock bolts and lattice girders.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Great engineering feat, but I hope the focus on these mega-projects doesn't take away from improving our existing railway network. Safety and punctuality for the common man's train are just as important.
V
Vikram M
Using NATM in Palghar's terrain is a smart move. Shows we are adopting the right tech for our specific conditions. Hope this expertise is used in other infrastructure projects across the country.
S
Sarah B
As someone who travels frequently between Mumbai and Ahmedabad for work, this project will be a game-changer. Saving 5+ hours on travel will boost business connectivity immensely.
R
Rohit P
The budget allocation for Maharashtra railways is huge! ₹23,926 crore. Along with the bullet train, hope this means better local trains and stations for Mumbaikars too. Fingers crossed!
M
Michael C
While the progress is commendable, the real test will be the final ticket pricing. Will it be accessible to the average Indian, or will it remain a luxury for a few? That's the key question.

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