Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train: First Major Tunnel Breakthrough Achieved

India’s first bullet train project, a 2.7-kilometre tunnel section has been successfully completed as part of the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor. This marks the first major breakthrough in the 21-kilometre-long tunnel connecting Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai to Shilphata in Thane.

According to a release from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), the tunnel was constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a cutting-edge technique for controlled excavation in urban and semi-urban terrains. This achievement showcases substantial progress in one of India’s most advanced infrastructure undertakings.^{Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train}

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Key Highlights:

• Tunnel Length: 21 km in total
  • 16 km to be built using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs)
  • 5 km to be constructed using NATM (especially between Shilphata and Ghansoli)
• Current Completion: 2.7 km of NATM section completed
• Undersea Tunnel: Includes a 7-km segment beneath Thane Creek

To expedite excavation, an Additionally Driven Intermediate Tunnel (ADIT) was constructed to allow tunnelling from both ends — Ghansoli and Shilphata. So far, about 1.62 km has been excavated from the Shilphata end, bringing the total NATM progress to 4.3 km.

Engineering Safety Measures:

NHSRCL has adopted comprehensive safety and monitoring protocols at the site, including:

• Ground settlement markers
• Piezometers
• Inclinometers
• Strain gauges
• Biometric access control systems

These technologies ensure minimal disruption to surrounding infrastructure and communities during tunnelling.

Also Read: Mumbai Underground Bullet Train Project Achieves Major Milestone with First Slab Casting

Project Funding & Timeline: Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train

• Total Cost: ₹1.08 lakh crore
• Funding Structure:
  • Central Government: ₹10,000 crore
  • Maharashtra & Gujarat: ₹5,000 crore each
  • Japan: Remaining amount through a soft loan at 0.1% interest

Despite the current milestone, sources confirm that the Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for the 16-km stretch are still awaited. However, launch shafts and equipment are already in place to begin once TBMs arrive.

This is a clear indicator that India’s dream of high-speed rail connectivity is inching closer to reality.