India’s first bullet train project has reached an exciting milestone! On Monday, the first part of the 21-kilometer-long undersea tunnel for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train was successfully completed.
This tunnel section is 2.7 kilometers long and has been built between Ghansoli and Shilphata in Maharashtra.
Tunnel Construction Details:
- Out of the total 21 km of the tunnel:
- 5 km is being built using a method called New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).
- The rest of the tunnel will be built using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).
- A 7-km stretch of the tunnel will run under Thane Creek.
- To speed up the work, engineers built a special side tunnel so that construction could happen from both ends at the same time.
Safety First:
- The site has been equipped with modern safety tools like ground sensors, piezometers, inclinometer gauges, and biometric access systems to make sure the tunnel is built safely without affecting nearby areas.
Progress Update:
- Work on laying tracks, setting up electric lines, building stations and bridges is happening quickly.
- Construction in Maharashtra, which was earlier delayed, has now picked up speed.
- Procurement of systems and controls for the bullet train is also going well.
World-Class Technology with Japan:
- Indian Railways is using Japanese Shinkansen technology to build the 508-km bullet train line.
- Japan has approved the use of its latest E10 Shinkansen trains for India’s project.
- Interestingly, India and Japan will launch the E10 trains at the same time, showing a strong partnership between the two nations.
The Shinkansen trains are known for their high speed, safety, and reliability, and India hopes to set a new benchmark in rail travel.
What’s Next?
- After Mumbai-Ahmedabad, India plans to expand the bullet train network to other routes like:
- Delhi–Varanasi
- Delhi–Ahmedabad
- Mumbai–Nagpur
- Mumbai–Hyderabad
- Chennai–Mysore
This breakthrough brings India one step closer to faster, safer, and more modern train travel!
