Mumbai: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Bullet Train project achieved its first mountain tunnel breakthrough in Maharashtra with the successful completion of the Palghar tunnel.
The breakthrough occurred in the 1.5-km-long MT-5 tunnel located between Virar and Boisar stations. The tunnel ranks among the longest mountain tunnels in Palghar district and marks a key construction milestone for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor.
Engineers excavated the tunnel from both ends and completed the work within 18 months using the drill-and-blast method. Officials monitored ground behaviour in real time and installed safety supports such as shotcrete, rock bolts and lattice girders as required.
The project team followed strict safety protocols throughout the work. These included ventilation systems, fire prevention measures and proper access arrangements for workers.
Earlier, authorities completed the first underground tunnel of about 5 km between Thane and Bandra Kurla Complex in September 2025. The MAHSR corridor spans 508 km and includes a total tunnel length of 27.4 km.
Bullet Train tunnel breakthrough to boost economy and jobs
Vaishnaw said the Bullet Train tunnel breakthrough highlighted steady progress on the MAHSR project. He said the corridor would generate significant employment during construction and operations.
Once operational, the bullet train will cut travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to 1 hour and 58 minutes. The Minister said this connectivity would integrate major commercial centres and stimulate regional economies.
He added that the project would support new industrial and IT hubs while facilitating knowledge transfer. According to him, the bullet train would also offer comfortable and affordable travel options for the middle class.
The Minister said the project would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 95 percent compared to road transport. He described it as a long-term investment in sustainable mobility.
In Maharashtra, work is underway on seven mountain tunnels with a combined length of about 6 km. Progress ranges from preparatory stages to over 35 percent completion across different tunnels.
The MAHSR corridor covers 352 km in Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and 156 km in Maharashtra. It will connect cities including Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, Surat, Boisar, Thane and Mumbai.
🇮🇳 Bharat Ka Garv: Bullet Train Project, achieves a major milestone with the breakthrough of Mountain Tunnel-5.
📍Saphale, Palghar pic.twitter.com/4wtQUUIAvX— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) January 2, 2026
