Bullet train project hits milestone with MT-5 tunnel breakthrough

The MumbaiAhmedabad Bullet Train project marked a major milestone with the breakthrough of the MT5 mountain tunnel the second tunnel completed in the state for the highspeed rail corridor Spanning 1480 meters 15 km the tunnel connects key points between Virar and Boisar in Palghar districtThe tunnel excavation carried out from both ends over 18 months employed a cuttingedge drillandblast method allowing realtime monitoring of ground behaviour and enabling the installation of support systems such as shotcrete rock bolts and lattice girders based on site conditionsMT5 is part of the seven mountain tunnels in Maharashtra contributing to a total tunnel length of 274 km along the 508 km highspeed corridor Of this total 21 km is underground while 64 km runs on the surfaceldquoAll necessary safety measures including ventilation fire prevention and access and egress protocols were strictly followed during tunnelling activitiesrdquo officials saidThe first underground tunnel stretching 5 km between Thane and BKC was completed in September 2025 With MT5 now operational the bullet train project moves closer to achieving its goal of highspeed connectivity along the MumbaindashAhmedabad corridorRailway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday virtually witnessed the final breakthrough of the 15kmlong mountain tunnel of the bullet train project in Maharashtras Palghar district from Rail Bhawan in New DelhiThis 15kmlong mountain tunnel is among the longest in Palghar district and is located between the Virar and Boisar bullet train stations It is the second tunnel breakthrough in Maharashtra following the first 5kmlong underground tunnel between Thane and BKC which was completed in September 2025 a Railway Ministry press note saidMumbaiAhmedabad Bullet Train Project India to get its 1st train on Aug 15 next year says Ashwini VaishnawUnion Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said that India is likely to receive its first Bullet Train on August 15 next year reported the IANSHe said the country will witness its first Bullet Train running on tracks next year marking a major milestone in Indiarsquos transport historyBuy a Bullet Train ticket on Independence Day in 2027 The country will get its first Bullet Train Vaishnaw saidMumbaiAhmedabad Bullet Train CorridorIndiarsquos first Bullet Train project covers a total distance of 508 kilometres between Mumbai and AhmedabadOut of this 352 km falls in Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli while 156 km lies in MaharashtraThe corridor will connect major cities including Ahmedabad Vadodara Bharuch Surat Vapi Thane and MumbaiTravel time to reduced to two hoursAccording to the government the Bullet Train will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to around two hours This is expected to significantly improve intercity travel and economic activityConstruction progress so farAs per the National HighSpeed Rail Corporation Ltd NHSRCL more than 85 per cent of the corridor or around 465 km is being built on elevated viaducts Of this 326 km has already been completedWith Agencies inputs