The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor has achieved a significant milestone, with the completion of the mountain tunnel, as announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on the social media platform X.

This remarkable tunnel, shaped like a horseshoe and spanning 350 meters in length, has been skillfully crafted amidst the rugged terrain near Zaroli village. It's an integral part of the high-speed rail project that is set to revolutionize travel between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Trains on this corridor are expected to reach astonishing speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour.

Passengers utilizing this bullet train service will experience a dramatic reduction in travel time, completing the 508-kilometer journey in just two hours and seven minutes, a stark contrast to the current five-hour train journey.

The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) is not stopping here, as it plans to construct six additional tunnels along the 508-kilometer route connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad. These tunnels will be seamlessly integrated with state-of-the-art Shinkansen trainsets, procured from Japan.

S P Mittal, Chief Project Manager overseeing the Valsad section, expressed immense pride in this significant achievement, stating, "What makes this achievement truly remarkable is that it marks India's first tunnel capable of accommodating a train traveling at 350 kilometers per hour." He went on to explain, "Our team has successfully completed the structural framework of the tunnel, and now we are set to begin the finishing touches."

Mittal emphasized the paramount importance of precision in tunnel construction, especially in maintaining a perfectly straight alignment, as even the slightest deviation could have adverse consequences. He added, "Every specification has been meticulously followed, ensuring not even a single millimeter of deviation."

The contract for this monumental project was awarded to Larsen and Toubro, with construction carried out using the renowned New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). NATM, a well-established technique in India for various rail and road projects in mountainous regions, was employed to ensure the project's success.

Mittal revealed that the tunneling process spanned over a year and required a substantial workforce. Safety measures were of utmost priority during the blasting operations to safeguard both workers and nearby residents. Remarkably, the project proceeded without a single untoward incident throughout the construction period.

The inception of the bullet train project dates back to 2016, with the foundation stone laid in 2017. Originally slated for completion by December 2023, the project encountered delays primarily due to land acquisition challenges. Although construction is ongoing, the revised operationalization deadline has yet to be announced.

NHSRCL issued a statement specifying that the tunnel is situated approximately one kilometer from Zaroli village in Umbergaon taluka, Valsad. This engineering marvel measures 350 meters in length, 10.25 meters in height, and boasts a diameter of 12.6 meters.

In addition to this remarkable achievement, contracts have also been awarded for the construction of six more mountain tunnels in Maharashtra's Palghar district, all utilizing the NATM technique. This ambitious project continues to pave the way for India's high-speed rail future.