In 2023, significant milestones were achieved in the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project, marking substantial progress. The initiation of work on India’s inaugural 7-km undersea rail tunnel, coupled with the successful completion of a 350-meter mountain tunnel within just 10 months, showcased the project’s advancements. The undersea route at Thane creek, forming part of a 21-km tunnel between Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex and Shilphata in Thane district, was a key focus.
NHSRCL, the implementing authority, highlighted the completion of a 350-meter mountain tunnel near Zaroli village in Valsad district, Gujarat, as a noteworthy accomplishment in 2023. Another groundbreaking development was the commencement of the first reinforced concrete (RC) track bed, utilizing the “J-slab ballastless” track system from the Japanese Shinkansen, initiated in Surat and Anand.
Progress in land acquisition, with nearly 99.95% secured, and completion of work on six out of 24 rivers were emphasized as achievements. NHSRCL also disclosed the awarding of all civil contracts covering the 508-km stretch in Gujarat and Maharashtra during 2023. Construction activities for the eight stations in Gujarat and four stations in Maharashtra were underway, with work on the Sabarmati multimodal transit hub nearing completion.
Additional highlights included the erection of the project’s first steel bridge in Surat and the ongoing fabrication of 16 out of 28 bridges. Civil works for the Mumbai high-speed rail station had commenced, alongside the development of Surat and Sabarmati high-speed rail depots. The project, spanning 508 km, aims to connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad using Japan’s Shinkansen technology, promising a high-frequency mass transportation system.
Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with a soft loan of Rs 88,000 crore from Japan, the initial Rs 1.1 lakh crore project faced delays due to land acquisition challenges. The government now targets the launch of the first phase of the bullet train, connecting Surat and Bilimora in south Gujarat, by 2026.