The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project has reached another key milestone with the commencement of electrification-related works at the Purna River crossing in Navsari district, Gujarat. The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), the implementing agency for India’s first bullet train corridor, confirmed that civil construction at the river crossing has been completed, enabling the transition to the next phase of development.
Following the completion of the river bridge structure, the installation of overhead equipment (OHE) masts has begun. This marks a critical step toward powering the high-speed rail system. Noise barriers are also being installed along the alignment at the crossing to minimise sound impact in nearby areas.
The Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, estimated at a project cost of around ₹1.08 lakh crore, spans a total length of 508 kilometres. Of this, approximately 352 kilometres pass through Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, while the remaining 156 kilometres lie in Maharashtra. The corridor will feature 12 architecturally themed stations, including eight in Gujarat-Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Bilimora and Vapi and four in Maharashtra at Boisar, Virar, Thane and Mumbai.
NHSRCL has reported substantial progress across multiple construction fronts. Elevated civil structures are nearing completion along large sections of the alignment, with over 330 kilometres of viaduct work and more than 415 kilometres of pier construction completed so far. In addition, 17 river bridges, five pre-stressed concrete bridges and 12 steel bridges have been completed.
To address noise concerns in densely populated areas, nearly 4.9 lakh noise barriers have been installed across approximately 245 kilometres of the corridor. Track-related works are also advancing steadily, with reinforced concrete track bed construction completed over 292 track kilometres, equivalent to about 146 route kilometres. Around 4,800 OHE masts have already been erected, covering roughly 111 route kilometres of the mainline viaduct.
Tunnelling activities in Maharashtra have also made notable progress. In Palghar district, excavation has been completed for the first of seven mountain tunnels, while work continues on the remaining six. Separately, around five kilometres of the 21-kilometre NATM tunnel between Bandra Kurla Complex and Shilphata have been excavated.
Station and depot infrastructure is progressing in parallel with civil works. Construction of rolling stock depots at Surat and Ahmedabad is underway, while superstructure works at all bullet train stations in Gujarat have reached advanced stages. In Maharashtra, construction has begun at all three elevated stations, and base slab casting is in progress for the underground Mumbai station.
With electrification now commencing at key locations, the project continues to move closer to operational readiness, marking steady progress in India’s flagship high-speed rail initiative.
