Source:https://www.financialexpress.com/business/railways-bullet-train-project-nhsrcl-begins-construction-work-on-7-km-undersea-rail-tunnel-check-mumbai-station-construction-details-here-3556091/
Publisher: Financial Express
The National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) has announced the commencement of work on India’s first seven-kilometer undersea rail tunnel, a key segment of the 21-kilometer tunnel connecting BKC and Shilphata in Mumbai as part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.
According to their latest update, significant progress has been made with 194 km of viaduct and 322 km of pier work completed. Steel bridges spanning 70 meters, 100 meters, and 130 meters have been constructed in Surat, Anand, and Vadodara respectively. Additionally, bridge construction over nine rivers, including Par, Purna, and Ambika, has been finished, while work continues on major rivers like Narmada, Tapti, Mahi, and Sabarmati.
Update on construction of bullet train stations
Foundation work for eight bullet train stations in Gujarat—Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Anand, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati—has also been finalised.
“The structural work has been completed for Surat depot. Earthwork is completed for Sabarmati rolling stock depot and basement foundation work for the administrative building is completed. Survey and design works are in progress at Thane rolling stock depot,” the update read.
“The track laying work in Gujarat is progressing well. More than 35,000 MT of rails and three sets (03) of track construction machinery have been received at Surat and Vadodara. The assembly, testing and commissioning of these track machinery is in progress. Additionally Driven Intermediate Tunnel (ADIT) of 394 meter at Ghansoli for Mumbai- Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project has been excavated,” it added.
Mumbai Bullet Train station excavation work commences
Excavation has commenced for the Mumbai Bullet Train station construction. Ground preparation is underway at Thane, Virar, and Boisar stations. Recently, over 100 foundations were completed for the elevated section’s pier work. In Palghar district, construction has begun on five mountain tunnels.
Earlier this year, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the long-awaited bullet train project is slated for completion by 2026, with initial services set to operate between Surat and Bilimora.
All about Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor
Since its launch in November 2021, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor has been progressing steadily despite initial delays related to land acquisition challenges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe inaugurated the project in Ahmedabad on September 14, 2017.
The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) was established on February 12, 2016, under the Companies Act, 2013, specifically tasked with financing, constructing, maintaining, and managing India’s High-Speed Rail Corridor.
Structured as a ‘Special Purpose Vehicle’ in the joint sector, the company involves equity participation from the Central Government through the Ministry of Railways, along with the Governments of Gujarat and Maharashtra.
According to the Joint Feasibility Study report of 2015, the project was projected to cost Rs 108,000 crore and was expected to be completed in 8 years.
