New Delhi/Mumbai: Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday announced a major milestone in the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Bullet Train Project with the successful breakthrough of the first mountain tunnel in Maharashtra, located in Palghar district.
The breakthrough has been achieved in the 1.5-kilometre-long Mountain Tunnel-5 (MT-5), one of the longest mountain tunnels in Palghar, situated between the Virar and Boisar bullet train stations. This marks the second tunnel breakthrough of the project and a significant engineering achievement in the state.
Advanced Engineering and Safety Measures
The MT-5 tunnel was excavated from both ends and completed within 18 months using a state-of-the-art drill and blast method. This advanced technique enables real-time monitoring of ground behaviour during excavation and allows engineers to deploy appropriate support systems such as shotcrete, rock bolts, and lattice girders based on site-specific geological conditions.
Officials said that stringent safety protocols were followed throughout the tunnelling process, including proper ventilation, fire prevention systems, and safe access and exit arrangements for workers.
Earlier, in September 2025, the project achieved another milestone with the completion of the first underground tunnel of approximately 5 km between Thane and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
Project Scale and Tunnel Network
The MAHSR project spans a total length of 508 kilometres, of which 352 km lies in Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and 156 km in Maharashtra. The project includes a cumulative 27.4 km of tunnels, comprising 21 km of underground tunnels and 6.4 km of surface tunnels.
There are eight mountain tunnels in the project—seven in Maharashtra with a combined length of about 6.05 km, and one tunnel of 350 metres in Gujarat.
In Maharashtra, construction is progressing on all seven mountain tunnels:
- MT-1 (820 m): 15% physical progress
- MT-2 (228 m): Preparatory works underway
- MT-3 (1,403 m): 35.5% completed
- MT-4 (1,260 m): 31% completed
- MT-6 (454 m): 35% completed
- MT-7 (417 m): 28% completed
Faster Travel, Economic Growth
Highlighting the broader impact of the project, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Bullet Train will significantly transform inter-city travel, reducing travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to just 1 hour and 58 minutes. The corridor will connect major commercial and industrial centres including Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Bilimora, Vapi, Boisar, Virar, Thane, and Mumbai.
The Union Minister said the project is already generating substantial employment during construction and will create additional job opportunities during operations. He added that the MAHSR corridor is expected to boost economic activity, enable knowledge transfer, and support the development of new industrial and IT hubs along its route.
Affordable, Sustainable Transport
Shri Vaishnaw emphasised that the Bullet Train project aligns with the aspirations of the middle class, offering comfortable, reliable, and affordable travel. He also highlighted its environmental benefits, noting that the project is expected to lead to an estimated 95 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to road transport.
Describing the MAHSR as a transformative step in India’s transport infrastructure, the Minister said the project represents a blend of cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and long-term economic gains, reinforcing India’s journey towards modern and green mobility.
