New tunnel is being built on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Rail project

28 May 2024 CW Team

With simultaneous access to the new terminal, which is 3.3 km long and 26 m deep, a 1.6 m (about) tunnel may be built on either side. The bullet train project's special purpose corporation, National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), released a statement stating that the main 21-km tunnel will be finished in 5 km by the New Austrian Tunnelling Method and 16 km by tunnel boring machines. Excavation for the intermediate tunnel began on December 6, 2023, and has taken six months to complete the 394-m length. Because of its length, the intermediate tunnel may be used as a direct transport route to the main tunnel while it is being built and operated. It can also be used for evacuation protocols in case of an emergency. The 21-km track between Mumbai Bullet Train Station and Shilphata, Maharashtra, is rapidly being built. For about seven kilometres, this tunnel will run beneath Thane Creek in an intertidal zone.

USP of the tunnel: This is the first tunnel of its sort built in India. The top and bottom railroads will each have two tracks in the 21-km single tube tunnel. 16 km of the tunnel are now being built at BKC, Vikhroli, and Savli using tunnel boring machines. The bullet train will be within the tunnel and be able to travel at 320 km/h.

According to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in March of this year, the much-awaited bullet train project is slated to be finished by 2026, with services between Surat and Bilimora commencing first.

Project timeline for the bullet train

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train line project has been slowly moving forward since construction began in November 2021. The project was first delayed due to problems obtaining land. The project was formally launched in Ahmedabad on September 14, 2017, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

NHSRCL was founded on February 12, 2016, in compliance with the Companies Act of 2013, with the objective of financing, constructing, managing, and overseeing the High-Speed Rail Corridor in India. the Maharashtra and Gujarati governments, together with the two state governments of Gujarat and Maharashtra, which have been modelled as "Special Purpose Vehicles" in the joint sector.

The current Mumbai - Ahmedabad bullet train project has been accelerated with the construction of an extra 394-m intermediate tunnel at Ghansoli in Mumbai. This new intermediate tunnel, which is adjacent to the Thane Creek, will aid in expediting the 21-km major tunnel project between BKC and Shilphata. With simultaneous access to the new terminal, which is 3.3 km long and 26 m deep, a 1.6 m (about) tunnel may be built on either side. The bullet train project's special purpose corporation, National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), released a statement stating that the main 21-km tunnel will be finished in 5 km by the New Austrian Tunnelling Method and 16 km by tunnel boring machines. Excavation for the intermediate tunnel began on December 6, 2023, and has taken six months to complete the 394-m length. Because of its length, the intermediate tunnel may be used as a direct transport route to the main tunnel while it is being built and operated. It can also be used for evacuation protocols in case of an emergency. The 21-km track between Mumbai Bullet Train Station and Shilphata, Maharashtra, is rapidly being built. For about seven kilometres, this tunnel will run beneath Thane Creek in an intertidal zone. USP of the tunnel: This is the first tunnel of its sort built in India. The top and bottom railroads will each have two tracks in the 21-km single tube tunnel. 16 km of the tunnel are now being built at BKC, Vikhroli, and Savli using tunnel boring machines. The bullet train will be within the tunnel and be able to travel at 320 km/h. According to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in March of this year, the much-awaited bullet train project is slated to be finished by 2026, with services between Surat and Bilimora commencing first. Project timeline for the bullet train The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train line project has been slowly moving forward since construction began in November 2021. The project was first delayed due to problems obtaining land. The project was formally launched in Ahmedabad on September 14, 2017, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. NHSRCL was founded on February 12, 2016, in compliance with the Companies Act of 2013, with the objective of financing, constructing, managing, and overseeing the High-Speed Rail Corridor in India. the Maharashtra and Gujarati governments, together with the two state governments of Gujarat and Maharashtra, which have been modelled as Special Purpose Vehicles in the joint sector.

Infrastructure Urban

27 Oct 2025

Coal Ministry Achieves Milestones under Special Campaign 5.0

The Ministry of Coal and its Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have achieved notable milestones under the Special Campaign 5.0, focusing on cleanliness, operational efficiency, and sustainability across the coal sector. During the implementation phase from 2–31 October 2025, over 1,205 sites were cleaned, covering 68,04,087 sq ft, nearing the target of 82,51,511 sq ft. Scrap disposal of 5,813 MT against a target of 8,678 MT generated Rs 228.7 million in revenue. In addition, 1,11,248 physical and 30,331 electronic files were reviewed, with 74,123 weeded out or closed. Key initiatives showc..

Infrastructure Energy

27 Oct 2025

Vesting Orders Issued for Three Coal Blocks under Commercial Auctions

The Ministry of Coal’s Nominated Authority has issued vesting orders for three coal blocks under commercial coal block auctions on 23 October 2025. The Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements (CMDPAs) for these mines were earlier signed on 21 August 2025. The three blocks include Rajgamar Dipside (Deavnara), Tangardihi North, and Mahuagarhi. Of these, two are partially explored while one is fully explored, with a combined peak rated capacity of around 1 MTPA and geological reserves of approximately 1,484.41 million tonnes. These mines are expected to generate annual revenue of abou..

Infrastructure Urban

27 Oct 2025

TEC, IIT-Hyderabad Partner to Boost 6G and Telecom Standards

The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad) for joint research and technical collaboration in advanced telecom technologies and standardisation. The partnership focuses on developing India-specific standards and test frameworks for next-generation networks, including 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). It also aims to enhance India’s participation in international standardisation f..