Archive · 19 Jul 2026
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Hits Key Milestones
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is making big progress.
Two important things happened: a huge 80-meter steel bridge was put up in Ahmedabad, and a second big machine started digging a tunnel in Maharashtra.
The tunnel is 21 kilometers long, and part of it, 7 kilometers, will go under the sea.
This is India's first undersea tunnel for a train.
The first machine started digging in July 2026.
The project will help people travel faster between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, but some people are worried about the environment and the people who might have to move from their homes.
An 80-meter steel bridge was launched over the Anupam Railway over bridge in Ahmedabad, carrying elevated bullet train tracks.
The second Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) started excavation from the 39-meter-deep Sawli shaft at Ghansoli towards Vikhroli.
The 21-km tunnel includes a 7-km undersea section beneath Thane Creek, making it India's first undersea tunnel for a railway.
The first TBM began its 6-km drive from Vikhroli towards BKC on July 5, 2026, while the second TBM will cover a 10-km stretch including the undersea section.
The TBM is one of the largest used in India, with a cutterhead diameter of 13.6 meters and advanced safety features.
- Who
- National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL)
- What
- Second Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) begins excavation and an 80-meter steel bridge is launched for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project
- When
- July 5, 2026 (first TBM), current date (second TBM and steel bridge)
- Where
- Sawli (Ghansoli) to Vikhroli, Maharashtra, India and Anupam Railway over bridge, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
- Why
- To construct India's first undersea tunnel for a railway corridor and to facilitate elevated bullet train tracks, part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor
Proponents of Infrastructure Development
Environmental and Community Concerns
Economic and Technological Benefits
Proponents of Infrastructure Development
The bullet train project will significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, boosting economic growth and connectivity.
Environmental and Community Concerns
The project may lead to environmental degradation and displacement of local communities, raising concerns about sustainability.
Innovation in Infrastructure
Proponents of Infrastructure Development
The undersea tunnel is a pioneering achievement in Indian infrastructure, showcasing advanced tunneling technology.
Environmental and Community Concerns
The construction of the undersea tunnel poses risks to marine ecosystems and requires careful monitoring to mitigate environmental impact.
- Project Name
- Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR)
- Total Tunnel Length
- 21 km
- Undersea Tunnel Length
- 7 km
- Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs)
- 2
- Construction Method
- Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) and New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM)
- Start Date of First TBM
- July 5, 2026
- Location
- Maharashtra, India
- TBM Dimensions
- Weight: 3,200; Cutterhead Diameter: 13.6m; Length: 96m
- Steel Bridge Location
- Anupam Railway over bridge, Ahmedabad
- Steel Bridges Completed in Gujarat
- 15
