Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav visited the additional central tunnel site at Ghansoli on Saturday, a critical component of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. During the visit, he expressed satisfaction with the progress of the 340 km stretch currently under construction and highlighted the project’s potential to boost footfall and attract citizens once operational.
Speaking at the site, Vaishnav emphasised the use of advanced technology and sophisticated systems in the project. The tunnel features state-of-the-art ventilation, lighting systems, and environmental protection measures. Significant progress has also been achieved in constructing bridges, developing station infrastructure, and other critical components.
The Bandra-Kurla Complex station was lauded as an engineering marvel, featuring a unique design with 10 underground and seven above-ground floors. Vaishnav also noted that Japanese experts are closely monitoring and approving the construction work. Once completed, the bullet train will operate at a maximum speed of 320 km/h on one-way routes and 250 km/h on simultaneous up-and-down lines.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train, spanning 508 km, includes a 21 km tunnel from Bandra-Kurla Complex to Shilphata, featuring India's first undersea tunnel. Using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) and the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), the project has achieved notable milestones, including the completion of a 394-meter central tunnel at Ghansoli within six months using 214 controlled explosions under expert supervision.
As of now, 1,111 meters of tunneling work has been completed out of the 1,628 meters at Shilphata. The tunnel will be 25 to 65 meters deep, with its deepest section reaching 114 meters below the Parsik mountain near Shilphata. When questioned about the project's completion timeline, Vaishnav refrained from providing a clear answer and walked away without addressing reporters’ queries. The bullet train is expected to transform connectivity between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with significant portions, including the Bandra-Kurla Complex station and Thane Bay's undersea tunnel, nearing completion. The railway ministry continues to monitor progress closely as the ambitious project moves forward.
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