Ministry of Railways Achieves Major Milestone as Third Mountain Tunnel Breakthrough Completed for Bullet Train Project

Mumbai, June 2: The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project has reached another significant construction milestone with the successful breakthrough of its third mountain tunnel in Maharashtra. The achievement marks continued progress in the development of India’s first high-speed rail corridor.

The newly completed tunnel, designated MT-07, is located near Ambesari village in Dahanu taluka of Palghar district. Measuring 417 metres in length and 14.4 metres in width, the tunnel has been designed to accommodate both up and down tracks of the Bullet Train network.

Officials said the tunnel was excavated using a controlled drilling and blasting technique from both ends. Advanced engineering methods and stringent safety protocols were employed throughout the construction process to ensure precision and structural stability.

Real-time monitoring systems, including surface settlement points, 3D targets, strain gauges and seismographs, were installed to continuously assess tunnel behaviour, ground conditions and vibration levels. Worker safety was supported through dedicated ventilation systems, fire protection measures, controlled site access and constant geotechnical supervision.

The latest breakthrough follows the completion of two other mountain tunnels in Maharashtra earlier this year. The first breakthrough, MT-05, a 1.5-kilometre tunnel near Saphale in Palghar district, was achieved on January 2, 2026. A month later, on February 3, the second tunnel, MT-06, measuring 454 metres, was successfully excavated using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).

Among the seven mountain tunnels being constructed in Maharashtra, four have now achieved breakthroughs, including MT-08, which was completed in October 2023. Construction work on the remaining tunnels is progressing steadily, with MT-03 having crossed 80 percent excavation, while MT-04 is nearing 60 percent completion.

Of the eight mountain tunnels planned under the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project, seven are located in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, while one is situated in Gujarat’s Valsad district, where tunnelling work has already been completed.

The stretch between Boisar in Maharashtra and Vapi in Gujarat, a key industrial corridor along the Bullet Train route, includes three mountain tunnels. With all three now successfully excavated, project authorities have achieved a major construction objective in this section.

Officials said the project continues to showcase the use of advanced tunnelling technologies, modern monitoring systems and innovative construction practices, strengthening India’s expertise in high-speed rail infrastructure and paving the way for safer, faster and future-ready transportation.