The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project has gained momentum with the construction of an additional 394-m intermediate tunnel at Ghansoli in Mumbai. This new intermediate tunnel adjacents to the Thane Creek and will facilitate the swift completion of the 21-km major tunnel project between the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphata. The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), the special purpose corporation responsible for the bullet train project, stated that the main 21-kilometer tunnel will blend the New Austrian Tunnelling Method and tunnel boring machines for its construction. Notably, 5 km of the tunnel has already been built using the former method, while 16 km will be accomplished through the use of the latter.
Efficient Transport and Emergency Preparedness: The significance of this revolutionary intermediate tunnel lies in its functionality amidst the construction and operation of the main tunnel. Given its length, it can provide a direct transport route while the major tunnel project is underway. Additionally, it can serve as a crucial evacuation route in case of emergencies. This multi-purpose feature adds to the versatility and importance of the intermediate tunnel in ensuring smooth operations, effectiveness, and safety.
Pioneering Construction in India and Impressive Specifications: What sets this intermediate tunnel apart is that it is the first of its kind in India. It will feature two tracks each for the top and bottom railroads within its 21-km single tube structure. Construction has already started, employing tunnel boring machines in BKC, Vikhroli, and Savli to build 16 km of the tunnel. Once completed, the bullet train will glide within the tunnel at a remarkable speed of 320 km/h, showcasing the cutting-edge technology and engineering achievements of the project.
Project Timeline and Outcome: The bullet train project, with its scheduled completion in 2026, is anticipated to herald in a new era of efficient and rapid transportation in India. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw affirmed earlier this year that the much-awaited project will see the inauguration of services between Surat and Bilimora as a preamble to the overall launch of the bullet train line. Although it faced initial challenges in acquiring land which caused some delays, the project started construction in November 2021 after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in September 2017. The creation of NHSRCL under the Companies Act of 2013, as a cooperation between the governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat, further underscored the joint effort in realizing this high-speed rail corridor. The progress made with the construction of the intermediate tunnel highlights the determination and efficacy driving the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. The nation’s first tunnel of its kind promises to revolutionize transportation and pave the way for a faster and more accessible future. As the infrastructural developments continue to unfold, commuters eagerly anticipate the bullet train’s advent, anticipating the remarkable benefits it will bring to citizens’ daily lives and the growth of the region.
