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The section forms a crucial part of the 21-km underground stretch between Bandra Kurla Complex and Shilphata, which also includes a seven-kilometre segment beneath Thane Creek
The tunnelling work began in May 2024 through three separate faces, and the first breakthrough was achieved in July this year on a 2.7-km stretch. (Image Courtesy NHRCL)
The Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project marked a breakthrough with the completion of a five-kilometre tunnel between Ghansoli and Shilphata on Saturday.
Officials confirmed that the excavation, carried out using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), has successfully connected the Savali shaft with the Shilphata tunnel portal. This section forms a crucial part of the 21-km underground stretch between Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphata, which also includes a seven-kilometre segment beneath Thane Creek.
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The tunnelling work began in May 2024 through three separate faces, and the first breakthrough was achieved in July this year on a 2.7-km stretch. With this latest progress, engineers have managed to complete a continuous 4.881-km section that will eventually link up with the viaduct portion of the project at Shilphata. The tunnel, excavated with a width of 12.6 metres, has been designed to accommodate twin tracks within a single tube of 13.1 metres diameter, allowing trains to move in both directions.
Officials described the breakthrough as a significant achievement, given the complex geological conditions in the area. The excavation involved advanced engineering techniques such as drilling, blasting, and detailed survey works, along with robust support systems to keep the structure stable. Safety was a top priority, with the site equipped with settlement markers, piezometers, inclinometers, and strain gauges to ensure controlled progress without impacting surrounding structures. To accelerate the process, an Additional Driven Intermediate Tunnel (ADIT) was built, enabling simultaneous excavation from multiple ends. Workers also had safety measures like restricted access at sites and fresh air pumping systems inside the tunnel to maintain healthy conditions underground.
With the NATM portion now completed, attention will shift to the remaining 16 km of tunnelling, which will be executed using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). Meanwhile, construction across the 508-km high-speed rail corridor is steadily progressing. So far, 321 km of viaduct work and 398 km of pier construction have been completed. Engineers have also finished 17 river bridges and nine steel bridges, while over four lakh noise barriers have been installed along a 206 km stretch. Track bed work covering 206 km is also done, alongside the installation of more than 2,000 OHE masts across 48 km of the viaduct. In Maharashtra, work on the underground Mumbai station is underway with base slab casting in progress, while superstructure work on all Gujarat stations is at an advanced stage.
The Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train, India’s first high-speed rail project, will cover 508 km, significantly reducing travel time between the two cities. With major milestones like the Ghansoli–Shilphata tunnel now achieved, the project continues to edge closer to reality, symbolising India’s ambition to join the league of nations with modern, high-speed rail infrastructure.
About the Author
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa…Read More
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa… Read More
September 20, 2025, 16:14 IST
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