STN: The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project achieved a major milestone on 20 September with the completion of a 4.88 km undersea tunnel section. This tunnel connects Ghansoli and Shilphata in Maharashtra. It is part of a planned 21 km tunnel that will run between the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai and Shilphata.
Railway officials confirmed that the excavation of this tunnel took place from both Ghansoli and Shilphata sides at the same time. The work was carried out under the Mumbai-Thane Creek, which posed many technical challenges. Engineers had to deal with changing soil conditions, water pressure, and limited working space. The breakthrough happened when both ends of the tunnel met successfully, completing the stretch.
India’s First Undersea Tunnel
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the achievement marks an important moment in India’s railway history. He stated that this is the country’s first undersea tunnel. It will link Mumbai and Thane through the creek and add strength to the overall corridor.
Japanese Support for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train
On 19 September, a high-level Japanese delegation met with the Railway Minister to review the progress of the project. During the talks, Japan confirmed that it will provide the E10 Shinkansen system for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train. This train model is known for its high safety standards and speed.
The Minister clarified that the Shinkansen trains will run only on the dedicated bullet train corridor. They will not share platforms with Vande Bharat trains, which operate on the regular railway network.
Travel Time and Future Operations
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities to just 2 hours and 7 minutes. Today, the same journey can take more than 6 hours by conventional trains.
The corridor aims to improve connectivity between two major economic centers. It will also help in knowledge transfer, investment, and regional development. The first section of the project, between Surat and Bilimora, is scheduled to start operations in 2027.
FAQs on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train
A: The full corridor will cover about 508 km between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
A: The corridor will have 12 stations, including Mumbai, Thane, Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad.
A: The train will run at a maximum speed of 320 km/h and an average speed of about 250 km/h.
A: The target for the first operational section is 2027. The full corridor is expected to be ready in the early 2030s.
A: The project is being developed with financial and technical support from Japan, mainly through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
A: Officials have said the fares will be set close to the cost of air travel between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, making it competitive but not as cheap as conventional trains.
A: It is expected to create jobs, reduce travel time, and boost trade and business links between Maharashtra and Gujarat.
