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India’s first bullet train project has just crossed a big milestone. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor, often called the bullet train line, has made its first breakthrough in the 21-kilometre tunnel being built under the sea near Mumbai.
This important tunnel runs between Ghansoli and Shilphata in Maharashtra, with a Seven kilometre stretch going under Thane Creek. It’s a tough section, but engineers have now completed a 2.7-kilometre part using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). It’s the first proper sign that this huge, complex project is really picking up pace.
The bullet train will use Japanese Shinkansen technology and is being built to connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad in just over two hours, compared to the current seven-hour train ride. More than just speed, this project aims to be a cleaner and smarter way to travel. The fully electric system will help reduce pollution and cut down road and rail congestion.
Also read- Major Progress in Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project
What makes this even more important is how it could open doors for more people. With quicker, smoother travel between two major cities, it can make jobs, education and healthcare easier to reach especially for those who might otherwise struggle to access them.
The project has not been without its challenges. The arrival of three large German-made Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) was delayed due to global issues, but teams on the ground kept going. They’ve built several vertical shafts to prepare for the next phase of tunnelling.
Elsewhere along the 508-kilometre route, work is moving fast. Around 310 kilometres of viaducts are done, along with five out of the planned 12 stations. The new underground station at Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai is a huge engineering effort, built 32.5 metres below ground and planned to hold a 95-metre tower above.
The project is mostly funded through a loan from Japan, with the rest supported by Indian governments. The Japanese government has also agreed to introduce E10 Shinkansen trains in India, with its introduction in the 508-km-long Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. “In the spirit of strategic partnership between Japan and India, the Japanese government has agreed to introduce E10 Shinkansen trains in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train project,” the Indian Railways said in a statement.
If all goes as per the plan, the first stretch in Gujarat will be seen running by 2028, and the full route to be ready by 2030.