The Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project achieved a major construction milestone with the successful breakthrough of its first mountain tunnel in Maharashtra, reinforcing momentum in India’s flagship bullet train initiative. The breakthrough was achieved at Palghar district with the completion of excavation of the second tunnel, known as MT 5, located between the Virar and Boisar bullet train stations.
The mountain tunnel, approximately 1.5 kilometres long, is among the longest in Palghar district and represents the first completed mountain tunnel of the project in Maharashtra. Excavation was carried out simultaneously from both ends and completed within a span of 18 months using the advanced drill and blast technique. This method enabled real time monitoring of geological conditions and allowed engineers to deploy appropriate safety and support measures such as shotcrete, rock bolts, and lattice girders based on site specific requirements.
Throughout the tunnelling process, strict safety protocols were adhered to, including continuous ventilation, fire prevention systems, and clearly defined access and evacuation arrangements. Officials confirmed that all statutory and environmental safeguards were followed during execution.
This achievement follows the completion of the project’s first underground tunnel of about five kilometres between Thane and the Bandra Kurla Complex in September 2025, further underlining steady progress on one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.
The Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor spans a total length of 508 kilometres and includes a cumulative tunnel length of 27.4 kilometres. Of this, 21 kilometres comprise underground tunnels while the remaining 6.4 kilometres are surface tunnels. The project features eight mountain tunnels in total, with seven located in Maharashtra having a combined length of about 6.05 kilometres and one tunnel of 350 metres located in Gujarat.
In Maharashtra, construction work is progressing across all seven mountain tunnels. MT 1, measuring 820 metres, has achieved 15 percent physical progress, while MT 2, with a length of 228 metres, is currently in the preparatory stage. MT 3, spanning 1,403 metres, has reached 35.5 percent completion, and MT 4, measuring 1,260 metres, has recorded 31 percent progress. MT 6, with a length of 454 metres, has achieved 35 percent completion, while MT 7, measuring 417 metres, has progressed to 28 percent. Together, these tunnels account for nearly six kilometres of mountain tunnelling in the state.
The project is expected to significantly transform intercity travel by reducing journey time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to just 1 hour and 58 minutes. The corridor will connect major urban and commercial centres including Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Bilimora, Vapi, Boisar, Virar, Thane, and Mumbai, creating seamless high speed connectivity across western India.
Officials highlighted that the bullet train is designed to offer comfortable and affordable travel options, particularly benefiting the middle class while setting new benchmarks in speed, safety, and reliability. Beyond passenger convenience, the project is anticipated to generate substantial employment during both construction and operational phases, while also stimulating economic activity along the corridor.
The high speed rail corridor is expected to facilitate knowledge transfer, encourage the development of new industrial and information technology hubs, and strengthen regional economies. It is also projected to deliver significant environmental benefits, with an estimated reduction of nearly 95 percent in carbon dioxide emissions compared to equivalent road transport.
Spanning 352 kilometres in Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and 156 kilometres in Maharashtra, the Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project represents a transformative step in India’s transportation infrastructure, combining advanced engineering, sustainability, and economic integration on a national scale.
