Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project: NHSRCL Unveils Tunnel Construction Plan
Tunnel Construction Overview
The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has unveiled its plans for a 16-kilometer tunnel as part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, which covers a total distance of 508 kilometers. This line represents India’s inaugural high-speed rail corridor, traversing through the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
This tunnel is a segment of the planned 21-kilometer tunnel that will be built between the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphata in Maharashtra. A unique feature of this tunnel will be the nation’s first undersea stretch, measuring 7 kilometers, located beneath Thane Creek. To date, the completion of 5 kilometers of tunneling utilizing the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) has been accomplished, with an additional 16 kilometers destined for construction using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).
Tunneling Operations Begin
As reported by NHSRCL, the assembly and lowering of the TBM have now commenced for the 16-kilometer section of the tunnel which stretches from BKC to Sawli, situated near Ghansoli. This tunnel is designed as a single tube with a diameter of 13.1 meters to accommodate dual tracks, with depths ranging from 25 to 57 meters beneath the surface. The deepest excavation will reach 114 meters below Parsik hill.
The operation kicked off with the lowering of a segment of the main shield, which weighs approximately 170 metric tons and measures about 8.66 meters in length and 7 meters in width. This segment was lowered to a depth of 56 meters below ground level, akin to the height of a 20-story building, at Vikhroli in Maharashtra.
Infrastructure Developments
Two Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) have been received by NHSRCL, and tunneling operations will begin following comprehensive testing and commissioning protocols. To facilitate the lowering of the TBMs, three shafts have been constructed:
1. Retrieval Shaft at BKC
2. Shaft 2 located in Vikhroli
3. Shaft 3 in Sawli, near Ghansoli
TBM 1 will commence from Shaft 2 in Vikhroli and advance towards Shaft 1 at BKC, while TBM 2 will initiate from Shaft 3 in Sawli, moving towards Vikhroli.
Additionally, a dedicated casting yard spanning 11.17 hectares has become operational in Mahape, Thane district, aimed at producing tunnel linings for the 16-kilometer TBM section. A total of 77,000 segments are planned for casting, which will create 7,700 rings for the tunnel lining. Each tunnel ring will consist of nine curved segments plus one key segment, with individual segments measuring 2 meters in width and 0.5 meters in thickness.
Technical Specifications of TBMs
NHSRCL has provided detailed specifications for the Tunnel Boring Machines involved in this project:
– Two TBMs have been received for operations.
– Each TBM measures 95.32 meters in length.
– Weight of TBM 1: 3080 tons
– Weight of TBM 2: 3184 tons
– Cutter head diameter: 13.6 meters
– TBM type: Mix Shield / Slurry based
Key components of the TBMs include the cutter wheel, main bearing, jaw crusher, erector, main shield, and tail shield, alongside specialized gantry systems designed for various operational functions.
The performance metrics indicate a maximum speed of 4 revolutions per minute and a maximum excavation rate of 49 mm/min. Preliminary drives for the TBMs are scheduled to begin in July 2026, with the main tunneling drive anticipated to start in October 2026.
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Contents
Tunnel Construction OverviewThe National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has unveiled its plans for a 16-kilometer tunnel as part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, which covers a total distance of 508 kilometers. This line represents India’s inaugural high-speed rail corridor, traversing through the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli.This tunnel is a segment of the planned 21-kilometer tunnel that will be built between the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphata in Maharashtra. A unique feature of this tunnel will be the nation’s first undersea stretch, measuring 7 kilometers, located beneath Thane Creek. To date, the completion of 5 kilometers of tunneling utilizing the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) has been accomplished, with an additional 16 kilometers destined for construction using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).Tunneling Operations BeginAs reported by NHSRCL, the assembly and lowering of the TBM have now commenced for the 16-kilometer section of the tunnel which stretches from BKC to Sawli, situated near Ghansoli. This tunnel is designed as a single tube with a diameter of 13.1 meters to accommodate dual tracks, with depths ranging from 25 to 57 meters beneath the surface. The deepest excavation will reach 114 meters below Parsik hill.The operation kicked off with the lowering of a segment of the main shield, which weighs approximately 170 metric tons and measures about 8.66 meters in length and 7 meters in width. This segment was lowered to a depth of 56 meters below ground level, akin to the height of a 20-story building, at Vikhroli in Maharashtra.Infrastructure DevelopmentsTwo Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) have been received by NHSRCL, and tunneling operations will begin following comprehensive testing and commissioning protocols. To facilitate the lowering of the TBMs, three shafts have been constructed:1. Retrieval Shaft at BKC2. Shaft 2 located in Vikhroli3. Shaft 3 in Sawli, near GhansoliTBM 1 will commence from Shaft 2 in Vikhroli and advance towards Shaft 1 at BKC, while TBM 2 will initiate from Shaft 3 in Sawli, moving towards Vikhroli.Additionally, a dedicated casting yard spanning 11.17 hectares has become operational in Mahape, Thane district, aimed at producing tunnel linings for the 16-kilometer TBM section. A total of 77,000 segments are planned for casting, which will create 7,700 rings for the tunnel lining. Each tunnel ring will consist of nine curved segments plus one key segment, with individual segments measuring 2 meters in width and 0.5 meters in thickness.Technical Specifications of TBMsNHSRCL has provided detailed specifications for the Tunnel Boring Machines involved in this project:– Two TBMs have been received for operations.– Each TBM measures 95.32 meters in length.– Weight of TBM 1: 3080 tons– Weight of TBM 2: 3184 tons– Cutter head diameter: 13.6 meters– TBM type: Mix Shield / Slurry basedKey components of the TBMs include the cutter wheel, main bearing, jaw crusher, erector, main shield, and tail shield, alongside specialized gantry systems designed for various operational functions.The performance metrics indicate a maximum speed of 4 revolutions per minute and a maximum excavation rate of 49 mm/min. Preliminary drives for the TBMs are scheduled to begin in July 2026, with the main tunneling drive anticipated to start in October 2026.
