A landmark achievement in India’s first bullet train project was marked today as Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw initiated the breakthrough of a 4.88 km tunnel between Shilphata and Ghansoli, part of the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor. Speaking at the Ghansoli shaft, Vaishnaw described the project as a “multiplier” for India’s economy, likening its potential to the transformative impact of Japan’s first bullet train connecting Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka over six decades ago.
The 508 km corridor, set to slash the Mumbai-Ahmedabad journey from nine hours to just two hours and seven minutes, will unify key economic hubs like Anand, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Vapi, and Mumbai. “This project will create unified markets and accelerate economic growth, with gains far exceeding the initial investment through higher productivity and business expansion,” Vaishnaw stated. The first phase, covering the Surat-Bilimora section, is slated for launch in December 2027, followed by Thane in 2028 and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in 2029.
The tunnel, excavated using the New Austrian Tunnel Method (NATM), spans a 21 km underground stretch from BKC to Shilphata, including a 7 km segment beneath Thane Creek. The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) highlighted the engineering feat, noting the use of single-tunnel technology to accommodate twin tracks and 40-meter girders in viaduct construction. Excavation, which began in May 2024, faced challenging underwater terrain but achieved a significant milestone with today’s breakthrough, connecting the Savali shaft to the Shilphata tunnel portal.
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Vaishnaw praised the project’s cutting-edge innovations, which have earned international acclaim from Japanese partners. During a recent meeting with a Japanese delegation led by their Vice Minister, discussions included adopting the advanced E10 Shinkansen system for India. “The Japanese have agreed to provide this next-generation bullet train technology,” he revealed, emphasizing the knowledge transfer gained.
Designed as a “transport for the middle class” with “reasonable” fares, the bullet train will offer frequent services, with trains departing every half hour during peak hours and every 10 minutes once the network stabilizes. Vaishnaw noted that passengers can board without reservations, enhancing accessibility. The NHSRCL reported that 321 km of viaduct, 398 km of piers, 17 river bridges, nine steel bridges, and over four lakh noise barriers across 206 km have been completed, with track bed construction finished for 206 km and over 2,000 overhead equipment masts installed.
The tunnel’s construction involved rigorous safety measures, including settlement markers, piezometers, inclinometers, and restricted site access, ensuring worker safety under demanding conditions. The next phase will focus on waterproofing, lining, and equipment installation, with the remaining 16 km of tunnelling to be completed using tunnel boring machines (TBMs). The completed single-tube tunnel, with a 13.1-meter diameter, will support twin tracks for seamless operations.
As India’s first high-speed rail project, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor promises to redefine connectivity and economic integration, positioning the nation as a leader in cutting-edge transportation infrastructure.
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