First Mountain Tunnel Completed in Bullet Train Project at Palghar, Maharashtra
New Delhi: Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced a major milestone in the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project with the successful completion of the second tunnel in Palghar, Maharashtra. This is the first mountain tunnel completed under the bullet train project in the state.
The achievement has been accomplished in the approximately 1.5-kilometre-long mountain tunnel (MT-5), one of the longest tunnels in Palghar district, located between the Virar and Boisar bullet train stations.
Excavation of the MT-5 tunnel was carried out simultaneously from both ends and completed within 18 months using advanced drill-and-blast technology. This method enables real-time monitoring of ground conditions and allows deployment of appropriate support systems such as shotcrete, rock bolts, and lattice girders based on site requirements. During construction, all essential safety measures—including ventilation, fire safety, and proper entry and exit arrangements—were meticulously followed.
Earlier, the first underground tunnel of nearly 5 kilometres between Thane and BKC was completed in September 2025. The total length of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor is 508 kilometres, of which 27.4 kilometres comprise tunnels—21 kilometres underground and 6.4 kilometres surface tunnels. The project includes eight mountain tunnels, seven of which are located in Maharashtra with a combined length of approximately 6.05 kilometres, while one 350-metre tunnel is in Gujarat.
The Union Minister stated that the bullet train project is generating significant employment opportunities during construction and will create additional jobs during operations. Once completed, the project will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to just 1 hour and 58 minutes, enabling stronger economic integration between major commercial hubs.
He added that the project is expected to boost economic activity along the corridor, facilitate knowledge exchange, and support the development of new industrial and IT hubs. The initiative will deliver long-term economic benefits while fulfilling the aspirations of the middle class by providing comfortable and affordable travel.
The Minister also emphasized that upon completion, the project will result in nearly a 95 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to road transport.
Construction work is currently underway on seven mountain tunnels in Maharashtra. Of these, 15 percent of the 820-metre-long MT-1 has been completed, while preliminary work is ongoing on the 228-metre-long MT-2. Construction progress stands at 35.5 percent for the 1,403-metre-long MT-3 and 31 percent for the 1,260-metre-long MT-4. The 1,480-metre-long MT-5—the longest of all mountain tunnels—has achieved 55 percent completion, with a breakthrough recorded on January 2, 2026. Additionally, 35 percent of the 454-metre-long MT-6 and 28 percent of the 417-metre-long MT-7 have been completed. The total length of mountain tunnels in Maharashtra is approximately 6 kilometres.
The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor spans about 508 kilometres, with 352 kilometres passing through Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and 156 kilometres through Maharashtra. The corridor will connect major cities including Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Bilimora, Vapi, Boisar, Virar, Thane, and Mumbai—marking a transformative step in India’s transportation infrastructure.
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