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Mumbai has recorded a major milestone in India’s first bullet train project with the successful completion of a 2.7-kilometre stretch of the tunnel between Bandra-Kurla Complex and Shilphata. This marks the first breakthrough in the 21-kilometre underground passage connecting Mumbai to Thane as part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor. Completed using the advanced New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), the progress signals a critical step toward faster intercity travel and improved transport infrastructure.
The Mumbai-Thane tunnel breakthrough marks the beginning of tangible underground infrastructure for India’s ambitious bullet train initiative. Authorities confirmed the completion of a 2.7 km continuous tunnel section using NATM, a sophisticated tunnelling technique suited for challenging geotechnical conditions. The entire 21-km tunnel includes a 7-km undersea portion beneath Thane Creek and is being developed with both NATM and Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). To optimise progress, an Additional Driven Intermediate Tunnel (ADIT) was constructed, allowing parallel excavation efforts from the Shilphata and Ghansoli ends. The current NATM progress stands at approximately 4.3 km. Experts on-site have stated that excavation and structural work are proceeding without disruption to existing infrastructure or the surrounding ecosystem. The breakthrough is a significant feat in underground transport engineering and supports broader national goals of modernising mobility between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, ultimately reducing travel time and increasing capacity between two key economic centres.
Safety and precision remain central to the construction strategy of the bullet train tunnel, with authorities deploying advanced instruments to monitor stability. These include ground settlement markers, strain gauges, piezometers, inclinometers, and biometric access systems. The use of such tools ensures that excavation continues safely and that nearby urban infrastructure and ecological zones remain unaffected. The remaining 16 km of the tunnel will be constructed using TBMs, for which all foundational shafts and launch platforms are ready. However, the TBMs are still awaited from international manufacturers. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, estimated to cost ₹1.08 lakh crore, is primarily financed through a low-interest loan from Japan. A structured funding model sees equal contributions from the state governments and a central allocation, with a 0.1% interest rate loan forming the bulk of the project financing. Once operational, the corridor is expected to drastically reduce intercity commute time and enhance regional economic integration.
The successful breakthrough of the 2.7 km NATM section in Mumbai marks a pivotal moment for India’s high-speed rail ambitions. With structural frameworks in place and tunnelling well underway, the bullet train project is gradually moving from blueprint to reality. While critical components such as TBM installations and full-length tunnel completion remain pending, this milestone signals momentum and progress. Once fully operational, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train promises to revolutionise long-distance travel, reduce environmental strain from road congestion, and usher in a new era of high-speed, efficient transport infrastructure in India’s western corridor.
