The tunnel, known as MT-6, is 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide, and is designed to accommodate both up and down tracks of the bullet train corridor
The development marks the second tunnel breakthrough in Palghar within a month. Pic/videograb/X
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project achieved its second tunnel breakthrough in a month in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Tuesday, officials said, reported the PTI.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw witnessed the breakthrough virtually from New Delhi via a video link. The breakthrough took place near Saphale village.
The tunnel, known as MT-6, is 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide, and is designed to accommodate both up and down tracks of the bullet train corridor.
The development marks the second tunnel breakthrough in Palghar within a month, following the completion of the MT-5 tunnel near Saphale on 2 January.
Officials said the MT-6 tunnel was excavated from both ends using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), which involves drilling and controlled blasting and is suitable for complex geological conditions.
The excavation work was completed within 12 months.
The 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project passes through Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It is India’s only high-speed rail corridor and is designed to operate trains at a maximum speed of 320 kmph.
Bullet Train Project achieves another milestone.
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 3, 2026
2nd tunnel breakthrough in Palghar within a month.
📍 Palghar, Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/uv3QEsXvjp
Work progress across Maharashtra and Gujarat
Construction of seven bullet train tunnels is currently underway in Palghar district, with excavation and allied works at different stages of completion.
In Maharashtra, work is also progressing on river bridges over the Vaitarna, Ulhas and Jagani rivers, station buildings, highway crossings, and a 21-km underground tunnel between Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphata.
As of January 27, around 334 km of viaducts, 17 river bridges, and 12 major crossings over national highways, railway lines and other infrastructure have been completed.
Officials said track laying and electrification have gathered pace in the Gujarat section of the corridor.
Union Budget 2026: Two Bullet Train corridors connecting Maharashtra
Meanwhile, Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday said that with two Bullet Train corridors Mumbai-Pune and Pune-Hyderabad are among Rs 23,926 crore, the allocations will give a major rail network boost in Maharashtra.
Vaishnaw briefed the media on the record railway budget allocation of Rs 23,926 crore for Maharashtra for the financial year 2026.
The briefing was held through video conferencing and organised by Central Railway in Mumbai.
The Minister said this allocation is nearly 20 times higher than the average annual allocation of Rs 1,171 crore provided to the state during the period 2009-14.
The Minister announced that seven high-speed rail projects have been included in the budget, out of which two new bullet train corridors will pass through Maharashtra and Hyderabad.
- Mumbai-Pune: 48 minutes and
- Pune-Hyderabad: 1 hour 55 minutes
These projects are expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve inter-city connectivity, an official statement said.
(with PTI inputs)
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