New Delhi | January 2, 2026

India’s first high-speed bullet train corridor has reached a significant milestone with the breakthrough of a major mountain tunnel in Palghar district, Maharashtra, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Friday. This achievement marks a key step in the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project, which aims to revolutionize intercity transportation in western India.

Mountain Tunnel Milestone

Speaking at a press conference, Vaishnaw said, “A major milestone has been achieved in the Bullet Train Project: the breakthrough of Mountain Tunnel-5 (MT5). The entire project features seven mountain tunnels and one undersea tunnel.”

The MT5 tunnel is 1.48 kilometres long (excluding the hood and portal, 1.39 km) and is the first and longest tunnel in the series of seven mountain tunnels along the corridor. This breakthrough follows the completion of the first underground tunnel of about 5 kilometres, which was finished in September 2025 between Thane and BKC in Mumbai.

The Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor spans a total length of 508 kilometres, with tunnels accounting for 27.4 kilometres—21 km underground and 6.4 km on the surface. Among these, eight are mountain tunnels, seven in Maharashtra totalling 6.05 km, and one in Gujarat measuring 350 metres.

Stations, Depots, and Project Logistics

Vaishnaw provided updates on the project’s infrastructure, stating, “There are a total of 12 stations in this project. Sabarmati serves as the terminal station in Ahmedabad, while BKC is the terminal station in Mumbai. Three depots are being constructed along the corridor. Typically, a stretch of this length would require only two depots, but due to delays in permissions under the previous Maharashtra government, additional arrangements were necessary.”

Steel Bridge Launch in Gujarat

Last month, the project achieved another engineering feat with the successful launch of a 130-metre span of a 230-metre steel bridge over National Highway-64 and the Bharuch–Dahej freight line near Kanthariya village in Gujarat. The bridge, constructed with Tor-Shear Type High Strength (TTHS) bolts, metallic bearings, and C5 system painting, measures 18 metres in height and 14.9 metres in width and weighs approximately 2,780 metric tons.

The steel bridge was assembled on temporary trestles and pushed using semi-automatic jacks in a carefully planned operation to ensure safety and minimal disruption to ongoing freight and road traffic. The launch was completed in 12 hours, showcasing the precision engineering involved in the project.

Corridor Overview

The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor covers 352 km in Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and 156 km in Maharashtra, connecting major urban centres including Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Bilimora, Vapi, Boisar, Virar, Thane, and Mumbai.

The corridor has been constructed using advanced international engineering standards, with 465 km (85% of the route) built on viaducts, minimizing land disturbance and ensuring safety. So far, 326 km of viaduct work and 17 of 25 river bridges have been completed.

Impact on Travel and Economy

Upon completion, the bullet train will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to nearly two hours, drastically transforming travel across western India. The high-speed corridor is expected to boost business, tourism, and economic activity, generating opportunities for regional development along the entire 508-kilometre route.

Vaishnaw highlighted that the project integrates modern engineering techniques and sustainability measures, including elevated viaducts to minimize ecological impact and river crossings designed for long-term durability. The corridor is also expected to act as a catalyst for urban and industrial development, linking industrial hubs and cities in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Conclusion

The breakthrough of Mountain Tunnel-5 represents a major engineering and logistical achievement in India’s high-speed rail journey. With ongoing viaduct construction, station development, and steel bridge installations, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project is on track to become a landmark in India’s transport infrastructure, providing faster, safer, and more reliable intercity travel, while stimulating regional economic growth and connectivity.