Bullet train project: 5 km of 21-km tunnel excavated, work enters next phase

Waterproofing gantries are also being deployed to install specialised membranes. Representational Pic

Construction on the 21-kilometre tunnel, part of India's first bullet train corridor, has reached a key milestone, with five kilometres fully excavated using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).

With excavation now complete in this section, work has progressed to the next stages of tunnel development, focusing on structural strengthening and long-term durability.

Inside the tunnel, a drainage system is being installed using a drainage casting gantry to ensure that seepage water is efficiently collected and channelled through a dedicated network.

Waterproofing gantries are also being deployed to install specialised membranes, creating a protective barrier against water ingress.

Reinforcement bar cages are being placed along the tunnel profile, forming the steel framework required for the final concrete lining. This is followed by the lining gantry, which casts the permanent concrete layer, providing structural strength and a smooth internal finish.

In addition, dedicated equipment rooms are being constructed to house critical systems required for tunnel operations and maintenance.

With work progressing steadily across stages, the underground stretch of India's first bullet train project is moving closer to completion.