Second Mountain Tunnel Breakthrough Achieved in Palghar Maharashtra for Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project, Why Is It a Key Engineering Milestone?
The Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced a significant milestone in the Bullet Train Project with the breakthrough of the second mountain tunnel in Palghar, Maharashtra. This tunnel is 454 metres long with a width of 14.4 metres, and will accommodate both up and down tracks for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train project.
Second mountain tunnel breakthrough in Palghar within a span of one month
This is the second mountain tunnel breakthrough in Palghar district within a span of one month for the Bullet Train project, the first being MT-5 near Saphale on 2nd January 2026.
A key engineering milestone
The mountain tunnel (MT-6) was excavated from both ends using New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a cutting-edge drill-and-controlled blast method. The excavation is completed within 12 months. A mountain tunnel breakthrough marks a key engineering milestone when excavation teams digging from opposite ends of the tunnel finally meet at the center, forming a continuous passage through the mountain.
Project is drawing global attention
Ashwini Vaishnaw congratulated the entire high-speed rail team for their remarkable progress. He said the pace at which the team is working has instilled new confidence in the country. The project is drawing global attention and appreciation due to several new innovations in construction and technology. He highlighted that many advanced construction technologies and large machines being used for the project are manufactured in India.
Gujarat section of the project expected to begin commercial operations next year
The Union Minister stated that the Gujarat section of the bullet train project is expected to begin commercial operations next year. He added that high-speed rail operations are expected to extend up to Thane by 2028, with the corridor reaching Mumbai by 2029.
New Austrian Tunnelling Method
.The New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) is favoured for its flexibility in complex geological conditions like in Palghar district and irregular tunnel shapes where tunnel boring machines are not that suitable. This process does not require very heavy machinery and allows real time adaptation using shotcreting, rock bolts and lattice girders.
Workers' safety inside the tunnel was ensured using various geo-technical instruments, real time monitoring, efficient fire safety measures, proper ventilation, and controlled access arrangements.
Construction work is progressing rapidly on multiple fronts
In Maharashtra, construction work is progressing rapidly on multiple fronts. The project's longest river bridge on Vaitarna river has reached pier level, apart from foundation level work on other major rivers like Ulhas &Jagani. Work is also progressing rapidly on all four stations, major national and state highway crossings using long span steel bridges and a 21 km long tunnel between Bandra Kurla complex and Shilphata. A total of 7 mountain tunnels are under progress in Palghar district in Maharashtra.