Mumbai’s long-awaited bullet train project is poised to make a decisive breakthrough, with tunnelling work for the city’s underground section scheduled to commence in January 2026. Officials confirmed that the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), stranded at a foreign port for several months, is now en route and expected to arrive in Mumbai by September 24. This clearance resolves one of the largest logistical delays the project has faced.
The bullet train corridor, India’s first high-speed rail project, is being built between Mumbai and Ahmedabad over a distance of 508 kilometres. It is designed to host trains operating at speeds exceeding 300 kmph. With the TBM finally reaching Mumbai, construction agencies will be able to accelerate the complex underground tunnelling required for the stretch connecting the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) hub to Thane. Officials indicated that the first operational phase of the project, covering the Surat–Billimora section up to Thane, is targeted for 2027. The iconic BKC terminal, one of the most technically challenging components due to its underground structure, is scheduled for readiness in 2028. Experts highlighted that these timelines represent a calibrated effort to balance technological challenges with the urgency of advancing sustainable, high-speed mobility in India.
The TBM arrival marks a turning point for India’s infrastructure ambitions. Industry specialists emphasise that the machine will cut through the geology beneath Mumbai’s densely populated belt, an engineering task that has been compared to some of the most advanced urban tunnelling projects globally. By resolving the delay, the project regains momentum in aligning with international high-speed rail benchmarks. Parallel to the bullet train developments, Mumbai’s urban transport ecosystem is also witnessing progress. Trial runs for Metro Line 4, spanning Cadbury Junction to Gaimukh, are set to begin this week. This 10.5-kilometre stretch forms part of the 32.3-kilometre Wadala-Thane-Kasarvadavli corridor, a key link in the region’s multimodal mobility framework. Passenger operations on this section are expected by year-end, following successful trial completions and safety certification.
Given delays in establishing the dedicated Mogharpada depot, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has arranged to transport metro coaches from the Mandale depot, originally meant for Line 2B, to Line 4 for interim use. Officials stressed that this solution ensures project continuity without compromising on safety or efficiency. Both projects – the bullet train and Metro Line 4 – underline Mumbai’s push towards modern, sustainable, and efficient transport infrastructure. As India seeks to cut urban emissions and offer equitable access to mobility, these developments mark significant progress towards building future-ready cities.
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