A major milestone was achieved in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project on Saturday morning with the breakthrough of a 4.88 km-long tunnel between Shilphata and Ghansoli, in the presence of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Describing the event as a “landmark achievement,” Vaishnaw said that the first phase of India’s first high-speed rail corridor, between Surat and Bilimora, is set to begin operations in December 2027.
Vaishnaw also outlined the project’s phased rollout. In 2027, the Surat to Bilimora section is scheduled to open, marking the beginning of operations. By 2028, services will extend further to Thane, significantly increasing the project's reach. The full and final phase is expected to be completed in 2029, connecting the high-speed corridor all the way to the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai, thus realizing the complete vision of the project.
Speaking to the media in Ghansoli, the Minister emphasized that the bullet train will be “a mode of transport for the middle class,” with fares kept affordable and reasonable.
“Right now, Google Maps shows the travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad as around nine hours, but once the bullet train is operational, that journey will take just two hours and seven minutes,” he said.
High Frequency, No Reservations Needed
Highlighting the convenience and efficiency of the upcoming service, Vaishnaw said, “Trains will run every 30 minutes during morning and evening peak hours. Once the full network is stabilized, there will be a train every 10 minutes during peak times.”
In a move to simplify travel, the Minister added that there will be no need for ticket reservations on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. “Passengers can simply arrive at the station and board the train,” he stated.
Minister Vaishnaw's Statement
"A Japanese delegation reviewed the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project on Friday and expressed satisfaction with the quality and speed of the ongoing construction work. The project is now progressing rapidly. However, it had faced significant delays earlier due to the previous Thackeray-led government in Maharashtra not granting the necessary approvals during its tenure. As a result, the project was delayed, especially in Maharashtra. We are now making every effort to expedite the project's completion. A detailed study is also being carried out to assess how much the delay has increased the overall project cost. The responsibility for the delay lies squarely with the earlier state government," said Minister Vaishnaw.
Standing at one of the tunnel’s openings, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw pressed the button that triggered a controlled dynamite blast, marking a major milestone in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project. The blast broke through the final rock layer, completing nearly 5 km of tunnel excavation.
According to the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), the tunnel was excavated using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) and forms part of the 21-kilometre underground section between the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphata. This stretch includes a 7-km segment beneath Thane Creek.
With this latest breakthrough, the tunnel now links the Savali intermediate shaft to the tunnel portal at Shilphata, connecting it with the elevated viaduct section of the high-speed corridor.
Excavation began in May 2024 and progressed in three phases. The first major breakthrough — a 2.7 km continuous tunnel section — was achieved on July 9. To accelerate the work, an additional intermediate tunnel (ADIT) was constructed, allowing excavation from both the Ghansoli and Shilphata ends.
The NATM tunnel has an internal width of 12.6 metres and was built through drilling, controlled blasting, surveying, and installation of support systems — all under complex geological conditions.
The next phase of work will involve waterproofing, lining, tunnel finishing, and installation of necessary equipment. Meanwhile, the remaining 16 km of tunnelling along the corridor will be carried out using tunnel boring machines (TBMs).
Once complete, the tunnel will be a single-tube structure with a diameter of 13.1 metres, designed to accommodate twin tracks for both up and down bullet train lines.
An official NHSRCL also highlighted the implementation of robust safety protocols during construction, including the use of settlement markers, piezometers, inclinometers, strain gauges, and restricted access zones. Additionally, fresh air supply systems have been installed to ensure the safety and well-being of workers inside the tunnel.
The 508 km-long Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor is India’s first high-speed rail project. So far, construction has been completed on 321 km of viaducts and 398 km of piers. The project also includes 17 river bridges, nine steel bridges, and over four lakh noise barriers installed along 206 km.
Track bed construction has been completed across 206 km, while more than 2,000 overhead equipment (OHE) masts have been installed along 48 km of the mainline viaduct, an official stated.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, being built with Japanese collaboration, aims to drastically reduce travel time while boosting regional connectivity and economic development.
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