Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project: Undersea Tunnel Breakthrough between Mumbai and Thane

Context:
India’s first high-speed rail (HSR) project, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train, has achieved a major engineering milestone with the completion of tunnel excavation between Mumbai and Thane, including a crucial undersea stretch beneath the Mumbai–Thane creek. Implemented by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) with Japanese collaboration, the project is central to India’s push for modern transport infrastructure and advanced rail technology.

Key Highlights:

Infrastructure & Engineering Achievement:

• Completion of 4.8 km undersea tunnel excavation between Mumbai and Thane.

• The tunnel forms part of a 21 km underground section, including sub-sea and underground corridors.

• Excavation carried out simultaneously from Ghansoli and Shilphata sides, overcoming complex underwater geology.

Project Timeline & Operations:

• First operational phase expected by 2027.

• Initial services to run between Surat and Bilimora (2027).

• Extension to Thane by 2028 and Mumbai by 2029.

• Travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad reduced to 2 hours 7 minutes.

Technology & International Collaboration:

• Japan to supply E10 Shinkansen, its next-generation bullet train technology.

• Designed for high safety, energy efficiency, and earthquake resilience.

• Loco pilots receiving advanced simulator-based training in Japan.

Operational Features:

• Average operating speed: 320 kmph.

• Initial frequency: every 30 minutes during peak hours, scalable to every 10 minutes with demand growth.

Relevant Prelims Points:

• Issue: Development of India’s first high-speed rail corridor with advanced tunnelling and Shinkansen technology.

• Causes / Rationale:

  • Need for fast, efficient inter-city mobility

  • Reducing pressure on aviation and conventional rail

• Government Initiative:

  • Implemented by NHSRCL under Ministry of Railways

  • Funded largely through Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA)

• Benefits:

  • Faster travel and improved economic integration

  • Boost to Make in India, infrastructure, and employment

  • Technology transfer in tunnelling and HSR systems

• Challenges:

  • Cost escalation due to delays (project cost ~₹1.08 lakh crore)

  • Environmental and rehabilitation concerns

• Impact:

  • Enhances India’s global infrastructure credibility

  • Sets template for future HSR corridors

Relevant Mains Points:

• NHSRCL: Special purpose vehicle responsible for planning, implementation, and operation of high-speed rail projects.

• Shinkansen System:

  • Known for zero fatal accidents due to technical failure

  • Advanced signalling, automatic train control, and seismic safety

• Key Issues:

  • Delay of ~2.5 years due to land acquisition and permission bottlenecks in Maharashtra

  • Cracks in 78 houses along corridor; IIT Mumbai survey underway for mitigation

• Static & Conceptual Linkages:

  • Infrastructure-led growth

  • India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership

• Way Forward:

  • Strengthen environmental and social impact assessments

  • Transparent rehabilitation and compensation mechanisms

  • Timely execution to prevent further cost escalation

  • Use project as a learning model for future bullet train corridors (Delhi–Varanasi, Mumbai–Nagpur)

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

• GS 2: India–Japan Relations, International Collaboration

• GS 3: Infrastructure, Economic Development, Science & Technology

• Prelims: High-Speed Rail, Shinkansen, NHSRCL