Tunnel Vision: India's Bullet Train Breaks New Ground

On September 20, 2025, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw marked a major milestone in India’s first bullet train project by initiating the breakthrough of a 4.88 km tunnel between Shilphata and Ghansoli, part of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.

Project Highlights:

Tunnel Details:
The breakthrough is part of a 21 km underground section, which includes a 7 km stretch beneath Thane Creek. The tunnel is being constructed using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) and will feature a single-tube, twin-track design equipped with advanced safety and ventilation systems.

Operational Timeline:

Surat–Bilimora section: Targeted to begin operations by December 2027, Extension to Thane: Scheduled for 2028

Full stretch to Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC): By 2029

Once completed, the bullet train will cut travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad from nine hours to just two hours and seven minutes, offering frequent services during peak hours.

Progress Overview:

According to the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL):

321 km of viaducts, 398 km of piers, 17 river bridges, 9 steel bridges, Over 4 lakh noise barriers have already been completed.

The tunnel breakthrough underscores steady progress in this transformative infrastructure project, which aims to revolutionize high-speed rail travel in India.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.