The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has unveiled plans for a 16-kilometer tunnel as part of the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train initiative. This project, which encompasses a total distance of 508 kilometers, marks India’s inaugural high-speed rail corridor, traversing the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
The construction will feature a 21-kilometer tunnel between the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphata in Maharashtra. Notably, this segment will include India’s first undersea tunnel, extending 7 kilometers beneath Thane Creek.
Out of the planned 21 kilometers, 5 kilometers have already been completed utilizing the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM). The remaining 16 kilometers will be excavated using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). NHSRCL has announced that the TBM assembly and lowering process has commenced for the tunnel segment between BKC and Sawli, located near Ghansoli.
This tunnel will consist of a single tube with a diameter of 13.1 meters, designed to accommodate twin tracks. The depth of the tunnel will range from 25 to 57 meters below ground level, with the deepest point reaching 114 meters beneath Parsik Hill.
“The operation commenced with the lowering of one of the six main shield segments, which weighs around 170 metric tonnes. This segment is approximately 8.66 meters long and 7 meters wide, and was lowered to a depth of 56 meters underground, equivalent to the height of a 20-story building, at Vikhroli, Maharashtra,” stated NHSRCL.
NHSRCL has acquired two TBMs, with tunneling activities expected to start following comprehensive testing and commissioning. To facilitate the lowering of the TBMs, three shafts have been constructed:
- TBM 1 will initiate its journey from Shaft 2 at Vikhroli, heading towards Shaft 1 at the Mumbai Bullet Train station in BKC.
- TBM 2 will commence from Shaft 3 at Sawli, moving towards Vikhroli.
A dedicated casting yard spanning 11.17 hectares for producing tunnel linings for the TBM section is operational in Mahape, Thane district. A total of 77,000 segments will be manufactured to create 7,700 rings. Each ring will consist of nine curved segments and one key segment, with individual segments measuring 2 meters in width and 0.5 meters in thickness.
Anish Mondal, a journalist with more than nine years of experience in transportation coverage, is currently part of the editorial team at Indianexpress.com, focusing on significant sectors such as railways and roadways.
Professional Journey
Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), gaining insights into legislative affairs and governance. In 2018, he moved to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, where he honed his skills in market analysis and corporate news for nearly six years. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he was a significant contributor at ETNowNews.com.
Education & Expertise
Anish’s reporting is underpinned by a solid academic foundation in communication and the humanities, including:
– Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) from Apeejay Stya University
– Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) from Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication
– Bachelor of Arts in English Honours from the University of Calcutta
Areas of Coverage
Anish specializes in connectivity, providing in-depth reports on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway systems.
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