The tunnel excavation, carried out from both ends over 18 months, employed a cutting-edge drill-and-blast method, allowing real-time monitoring of ground behaviour and enabling the installation of support systems such as shotcrete, rock bolts, and lattice girders based on site conditions
MT-5 is part of the seven mountain tunnels in Maharashtra. PIC/ SCREENGRAB FROM X
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project marked a major milestone with the breakthrough of the MT-5 mountain tunnel, the second tunnel completed in the state for the high-speed rail corridor. Spanning 1,480 meters (~1.5 km), the tunnel connects key points between Virar and Boisar in Palghar district.
The tunnel excavation, carried out from both ends over 18 months, employed a cutting-edge drill-and-blast method, allowing real-time monitoring of ground behaviour and enabling the installation of support systems such as shotcrete, rock bolts, and lattice girders based on site conditions.
MT-5 is part of the seven mountain tunnels in Maharashtra, contributing to a total tunnel length of 27.4 km along the 508 km high-speed corridor. Of this total, 21 km is underground, while 6.4 km runs on the surface.
“All necessary safety measures, including ventilation, fire prevention, and access and egress protocols, were strictly followed during tunnelling activities,” officials said.
The first underground tunnel, stretching 5 km between Thane and BKC, was completed in September 2025. With MT-5 now operational, the bullet train project moves closer to achieving its goal of high-speed connectivity along the Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday virtually witnessed the final breakthrough of the 1.5-km-long mountain tunnel of the bullet train project in Maharashtra's Palghar district from Rail Bhawan in New Delhi.
"This 1.5-km-long mountain tunnel is among the longest in Palghar district and is located between the Virar and Boisar bullet train stations. It is the second tunnel breakthrough in Maharashtra, following the first 5-km-long underground tunnel between Thane and BKC, which was completed in September 2025," a Railway Ministry press note said.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project: India to get its 1st train on Aug 15 next year, says Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said that India is likely to receive its first Bullet Train on August 15 next year, reported the IANS.
He said the country will witness its first Bullet Train running on tracks next year, marking a major milestone in India’s transport history.
"Buy a Bullet Train ticket on Independence Day in 2027. The country will get its first Bullet Train," Vaishnaw said.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Corridor
India’s first Bullet Train project covers a total distance of 508 kilometres between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Out of this, 352 km falls in Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, while 156 km lies in Maharashtra.
The corridor will connect major cities, including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi, Thane and Mumbai.
Travel time to reduced to two hours
According to the government, the Bullet Train will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to around two hours. This is expected to significantly improve inter-city travel and economic activity.
Construction progress so far
As per the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL), more than 85 per cent of the corridor, or around 465 km, is being built on elevated viaducts. Of this, 326 km has already been completed.
(With Agencies' inputs)
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