A key construction milestone has been achieved in the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project with the successful breakthrough of the second mountain tunnel in Palghar district, Maharashtra. The achievement was announced by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The newly completed tunnel is 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide, designed to accommodate both up and down tracks of the bullet train corridor. This marks the second mountain tunnel breakthrough in Palghar district within a month, following the completion of Mountain Tunnel-5 near Saphale on January 2, 2026.
Congratulating the high-speed rail project team, the Railway Minister said the pace of execution has strengthened national confidence in the project’s delivery. He noted that the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project is receiving global attention for its construction innovations and advanced technologies, many of which are being developed and manufactured domestically.
According to the current project timeline, commercial operations on the Gujarat section are expected to begin next year. High-speed rail services are planned to extend up to Thane by 2028, with full connectivity to Mumbai targeted by 2029.
Dr. Hemant Vishnu Savara, Member of Parliament from Palghar, highlighted the district’s growing importance as a major infrastructure hub. He pointed to ongoing railway-led development initiatives, including the high-speed rail corridor, the Dedicated Freight Corridor, and the upcoming Vadhvan Port. He also noted a significant rise in railway investment in Maharashtra since 2014, contributing to faster project execution and improved rail services.
Advanced Tunnelling and Safety Measures
The mountain tunnels in Palghar are being constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), which is well suited for complex and variable geological conditions. The method allows real-time design adjustments using techniques such as shotcrete application, rock bolting, and lattice girders, and does not rely on heavy tunnel boring machines, making it effective for irregular tunnel profiles.
Comprehensive safety measures have been implemented to protect workers, including the deployment of geotechnical instruments, real-time monitoring systems, robust fire safety arrangements, controlled access, and efficient ventilation within tunnel sections.
Progress Across Maharashtra Section
Construction activity in Maharashtra is advancing on multiple fronts. The project’s longest river bridge across the Vaitarna River has reached pier level, while foundation work is underway on other major river crossings, including the Ulhas and Jagani rivers. Work is also progressing steadily at all four stations in the state, along with major national and state highway crossings using long-span steel bridges.
In addition, excavation work is underway on a 21-kilometre-long tunnel connecting the Bandra Kurla Complex and Shilphata. Overall, seven mountain tunnels are currently under construction in Palghar district.
Project Scale and Corridor Impact
The MAHSR project spans approximately 508 kilometres, including 352 kilometres across Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and 156 kilometres in Maharashtra. The corridor is expected to stimulate economic activity, enable technology transfer, and support the development of new industrial and IT clusters along the route.
The high-speed rail line will connect major urban centres including Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Bilimora, Vapi, Boisar, Virar, Thane, and Mumbai.
As of January 27, 2026, construction has been completed on around 334 kilometres of viaducts, 17 river bridges, and 12 major crossings over national highways, railways, and other infrastructure. Track laying and electrification works have gathered pace, particularly in the Gujarat section of the project.
