Maharashtra: Work on Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project in full swing

ANI July 5, 2025 324 views

India's transformative Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is making remarkable strides in infrastructure development. The ambitious corridor involves complex tunneling techniques, including a groundbreaking 7 km undersea tunnel beneath Thane Creek. Significant progress has been achieved in station construction, with elevated stations at Thane, Virar, and Boisar advancing rapidly. The project represents a major leap in India's high-speed rail technology and transportation infrastructure.

"The project demonstrates remarkable engineering complexity and national infrastructure vision" - NHSRCL Spokesperson
New Delhi, July 5: The work on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed bullet train project is going on in full swing in Maharashtra, with major structural and tunnelling milestones being achieved, according to the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) said on Saturday.

Key Points

1

Extensive tunnel excavation underway across 21 km underground route

2

Three elevated stations in Maharashtra progressing swiftly

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Advanced tunneling techniques like TBM and NATM being employed

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Critical infrastructure bridges constructed across major rivers

According to the NHSRCL, work on all three elevated stations in the state, Thane, Virar, and Boisar, is advancing swiftly, and the first slabs for Virar and Boisar stations have recently been cast.

Across the alignment, pier foundations and pier works are underway at various locations, with approximately 44 km of piers cast to date.

In the Palghar district, viaduct construction has also commenced using full-span box girder launching technology, starting from the Dahanu area. Additionally, the excavation of seven mountain tunnels in the Palghar district is actively in progress, demonstrating the project's engineering scale and complexity.

Bridge construction has also kicked off at three major rivers: Vaitarna, Ulhas, and Jagani, further contributing to the corridor's critical infrastructure.

An important component of the project is the 21-kilometre-long underground and undersea tunnel connecting the Mumbai Bullet Train station at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) to Shilphata. Of the 21 km tunnel, 16 km is being excavated using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), while 5 km is being executed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). The tunnel includes a 7 km undersea stretch beneath Thane Creek, marking a significant feat in Indian tunnelling history.

So far, approximately 4.1 km of tunnel heading has been achieved through NATM from the Shilphata site, and two concurrent faces have been developed from the ADIT portal.

In terms of vertical construction, base slab casting at the Vikhroli shaft (56 meters deep) and Sawli shaft (39 meters deep) has been completed. Additionally, sludge treatment plants are being installed at shaft locations, and the Mahape tunnel lining casting yard is actively producing tunnel lining segments.

For the under-construction Mumbai Bullet Train station at Bandra Kurla Complex, 80% of the excavation work has been completed. Base slab casting at 100 ft below ground level has already started at both ends of the station site, NHSRCL added.

Reader Comments

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Priya S
While the project is impressive, I wonder about the environmental impact in Palghar district. The tunnel construction through mountains and under sea must be affecting local ecosystems. Hope proper mitigation measures are in place.
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Aditya G
As someone who travels frequently between Mumbai and Ahmedabad for work, this can't come soon enough! The current journey takes 7+ hours by train. Cutting it to 2 hours will be a game-changer for business travelers like me.
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Sarah B
The technical details are fascinating! Using both TBMs and NATM methods shows how complex this project is. India's infrastructure capabilities are truly reaching world-class levels. Kudos to the engineers working on this!
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Nikhil C
Hope the ticket prices will be reasonable. With so much investment, I fear it might become another luxury only the rich can afford. Public transport should be accessible to all Indians, not just elites.
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Kavya N
The stations at Thane, Virar and Boisar will boost local economies so much! 🚄 Finally some development for these areas beyond just being Mumbai's suburbs. Can't wait to see how these towns transform.
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Michael C
As an expat working in Mumbai, I'm impressed by India's infrastructure ambitions. The scale of this project rivals similar developments in China and

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Tags:
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train High-Speed Rail NHSRCL Infrastructure Development Maharashtra Infrastructure