Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train: 190 km Viaduct, 321 km Pier Work Done; All Civil Contracts Awarded

The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has announced significant progress on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, reporting that all civil contracts in Gujarat and Maharashtra have been awarded. The corporation has also confirmed the awarding of contracts for depots and electrical works, marking substantial advancement in the project.

Land Acquisition and Tunnel Completion

In a noteworthy update, NHSRCL has completed 190 km of viaduct and 321 km of pier work. The challenging land acquisition process in Gujarat, Dadra Nagar Haveli, and Maharashtra has been fully accomplished. A significant milestone is the completion of the first mountain tunnel, a 350-meter stretch near Zaroli Village in Valsad, Gujarat.

Infrastructure Milestones

The project has achieved remarkable infrastructure milestones, including the construction of three steel bridges in Surat (70 meters), Anand (100 meters), and Vadodara (130 meters). Additionally, eight river bridges over Par, Purna, Mindhola, Ambika, Auranga, Venganiya, Mohar, and Dhadhar rivers have been completed. Construction work on bridges over the Narmada, Tapti, Mahi, and Sabarmati rivers is currently underway.

In Maharashtra, work has begun on India's first seven-kilometer undersea rail tunnel, which is part of a larger 21-kilometer tunnel between BKC and Shilphata. Excavation activities for the Mumbai Bullet Train station and the tunnel shaft are actively progressing.

Station Construction

The foundation work for all eight bullet train stations on the Gujarat side, including Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Anand, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati, has been completed. In Maharashtra, construction has started on the Mumbai Bullet Train station.

Timeline and Future Prospects

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has indicated that the project is on track for completion by 2026, with initial services expected to operate between Surat and Bilimora. Despite initial delays primarily related to land acquisition challenges, the construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor has been steadily progressing since it commenced in November 2021.

Project Background

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Ahmedabad on September 14, 2017. The NHSRCL, established on February 12, 2016, under the Companies Act, 2013, is overseeing the project as a Special Purpose Vehicle. The corporation operates with equity participation from the Central Government through the Ministry of Railways, along with the governments of Gujarat and Maharashtra.

With these substantial developments, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is poised to revolutionize rail travel in India, bringing high-speed connectivity and setting a new benchmark for infrastructure projects in the country.