Construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor has progressed further in Maharashtra, with pier construction underway across more than 100 km of the 135.45-km elevated section between Shilphata and Zaroli on the Maharashtra-Gujarat border.
The project is being implemented by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) and covers a total distance of 508 km between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
74 Km of Piers Ready for Viaduct Girders
According to NHSRCL, construction activity is currently underway across more than 100 km of the Maharashtra section. Of this, approximately 74 km of piers have reached the stage where they are ready to receive viaduct girders.
The 135.45-km Maharashtra section includes 124.027 km of viaducts and bridges. Construction is being supported by nine casting yards, seven full-span launching gantries and eight segmental bridge span (SBS) launching gantries.
These facilities are being used to manufacture and install the precast components required for the elevated high-speed rail corridor.
The Maharashtra section covers areas across Thane and Palghar districts, with three elevated stations planned at Thane, Virar and Boisar.
Thane, Virar and Boisar Stations Under Construction
Work is also progressing on the three elevated stations along the Maharashtra section.
At Thane, the station concourse is being constructed approximately 12 metres above natural ground level. The elevated design has been adopted in part to reduce interference with mangrove areas and other environmentally sensitive locations along the alignment.
The Maharashtra section also includes seven mountain tunnels. Three tunnels have already achieved breakthrough, while drainage, waterproofing and tunnel-lining work is progressing inside the completed excavated sections.
The use of tunnels and elevated structures is intended to enable the corridor to pass through areas with challenging terrain and environmental constraints.
Major River Bridges Under Construction
Several major bridges are also being constructed along the Maharashtra section of the bullet train corridor.
These include a 460-metre bridge over the Ulhas River, a 2.32-km bridge across the Vaitarna River and a 510-metre bridge across the Jagani River.
The Maharashtra stretch will also feature 36 bridges and crossings. These include 12 steel bridges that will cross major railway lines, the Mumbai-Nashik Highway, the Ulhas River and other important locations.
The combination of viaducts, tunnels and bridges is required to accommodate the varied terrain and existing infrastructure along the route.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor is India’s first bullet train project. The 508-km corridor will connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad through 12 stations across Maharashtra, Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
Nearly 90 per cent of the alignment is planned as an elevated corridor, while the remaining portions comprise tunnels, bridges and station areas.
The project is being developed for train operations at speeds of up to 320 kmph. Once the full corridor is operational, travel between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is expected to take around 1 hour 58 minutes with four stops.
If trains halt at all 12 stations, the journey time is expected to be approximately 2 hours 17 minutes.
First 100-Km Section Expected to Open in 2027
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has previously said that India’s first bullet train service is expected to begin with an inaugural 100-km run between Surat and Vapi in August 2027.
The initial operational section is part of a phased opening of the larger corridor. The planned phases include the Vapi-Surat, Vapi-Ahmedabad and Thane-Ahmedabad stretches, before the complete Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor becomes operational.
The full corridor is expected to be completed by December 2029.
The ongoing pier and viaduct construction in Maharashtra marks another stage in the development of the high-speed rail project. With 74 km of piers already prepared to receive viaduct girders, work is progressing on the elevated section that will form a major part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor.
