Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Nears Completion of Key Phases
The highly anticipated Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project has reached several critical construction milestones, underscoring the rapid progress being made in its execution. One of the most significant developments is the commencement of tunnel lining production at a dedicated casting yard in Mahape, which will provide essential linings for the 21-kilometre-long tunnel that forms a key part of the underground section of the project. These linings are crucial for ensuring the structural integrity and safety of the tunnel, a vital component of India’s first high-speed rail corridor.
Additionally, the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) sites at Vikhroli and Sawli have achieved impressive depths of 56 metres and 39 metres, respectively. This progress is being carried out using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), which is facilitating the advancement of tunnel heading. As of now, approximately 2 kilometres of tunnel heading has been completed from the Shilphata site, with concurrent work being carried out at the ADIT portal. The dedication of a casting yard for tunnel lining in Mahape is also a notable milestone, indicating robust progress in the tunnelling work. Another key achievement is the construction of the underground Bullet Train station in Mumbai, which has reached 56% excavation completion. This includes the removal of over 1.87 million cubic metres of earth. A major milestone was marked on November 30, 2024, with the casting of the first concrete base slab.
Positioned 32 metres below ground—equivalent to a 10-storey building—the slab is the first of 69 slabs that will form the deepest level of the station. This slab, measuring 3.5 metres in depth and spanning 30 metres in length and 20 metres in width, plays a crucial role in ensuring the structural foundation of the station. Beyond tunnelling and station construction, the project has also made significant strides in the track construction phase. Bids for track construction work in Maharashtra were invited earlier this year, with technical bids scheduled to open in February 2025, marking the next step in advancing the project.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor, which spans 156 kilometres in Maharashtra, 348 kilometres in Gujarat, and 4 kilometres in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, is slated to be operational on a trial basis by 2026. The route will feature 12 stations in total, including key locations in Gujarat and Maharashtra, such as Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Bilimora, Vapi, Boisar, Virar, Thane, and Mumbai. Once operational, this high-speed rail corridor will be a game-changer for intercity connectivity, reducing travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad from approximately 7 hours to just around 2 hours, and boosting the economic and infrastructural development of the region.
