Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project Achieves First Tunnel Breakthrough Between BKC & KDMC - Shilphata Region
- Underline News Network
- Jul 11
- 2 min read
The 21 km. tunnel—an essential part of the Mumbai stretch of the bullet train corridor—features a 7-km undersea section beneath Thane Creek. This engineering marvel is being built using two advanced tunneling methods, with a 5-km stretch between Shilphata and Ghansoli currently under excavation.
The Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, India’s flagship high-speed rail initiative, has marked a major engineering milestone with the successful completion of its first tunnel breakthrough between Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphata.
A 2.7-km continuous section of the 21-km tunnel has now been excavated—becoming the first completed segment of the high-speed corridor. This breakthrough is part of the ongoing effort by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) to fast-track progress in Maharashtra.
To accelerate tunneling on this critical stretch, engineers deployed an Additionally Driven Intermediate Tunnel (ADIT), allowing excavation to proceed simultaneously from both Ghansoli and Shilphata ends. As of now, 1.62 km have been dug out from the Shilphata side, bringing the total progress in the NATM (New Austrian Tunnelling Method) section to 4.3 km.
The 21 km tunnel, which includes a 7 km undersea portion beneath Thane Creek, is being constructed using two world-class technologies. While the NATM technique is being used for a 5 km segment between Ghansoli and Shilphata, the remaining 16 kilometres are being built using massive Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).
Safety has remained a top priority throughout. NHSRCL has integrated international safety standards, using ground settlement markers, piezometers, strain gauges, inclinometers, and load cells for real-time monitoring. Biometric access control systems also ensure that only trained personnel can enter the tunnel, reinforcing both safety and accountability.
The next stage of development includes tunnel lining, laying of a reinforced concrete track bed, and initiating high-speed track installation. Construction efforts are expected to intensify after the monsoon, aiming to meet the project’s overall timeline.
Once operational, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train will redefine long-distance rail travel in India, drastically reducing journey time between the two cities and ushering in a new era of high-speed connectivity.
Note:
The information provided above is accurate to the best of our knowledge. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy of the information presented in this article. Readers are advised to verify the details independently.
Article source: The Free Press Journal
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