India's Bullet Train Project Hits Major Milestone: A 1.5-Km Tunnel Breakthrough!
Significant Progress in Bullet Train Development
New Delhi: On Friday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw celebrated a significant achievement in the bullet train initiative by overseeing the completion of a 1.5-km tunnel in Maharashtra's Palghar district from Rail Bhawan in the capital, accompanied by enthusiastic chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai!’
This newly constructed mountain tunnel is one of the longest in the Palghar area, situated between the Virar and Boisar stations along the bullet train route. It marks the second tunnel breakthrough in Maharashtra, following the completion of a 5-km underground tunnel between Thane and BKC in September 2025, as stated in a press release from the Ministry of Railways.
Vaishnaw highlighted that the bullet train project is expected to achieve nearly 95% reductions in carbon dioxide emissions compared to road transport, emphasizing its environmental significance. He noted that several countries have pursued bullet train projects primarily for ecological reasons.
For example, South Korea has reaped substantial economic benefits from similar initiatives. The minister pointed out that the train's direct access to city centers minimizes disruptions to local communities and traffic, as it traverses densely populated regions.
Looking ahead, Vaishnaw indicated that India is on track to welcome its first bullet train by August 15, 2027.
The ambitious bullet train project spans 508 km, connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with 352 km located in Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, while 156 km lies in Maharashtra.
The corridor aims to link major urban centers, including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi, Thane, and Mumbai, and is projected to reduce travel time between the two metropolitan areas to approximately two hours, significantly enhancing inter-city connectivity.
According to the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. (NHSRCL), over 85% of the corridor, roughly 465 km, is being constructed on elevated viaducts, with 326 km already completed.
On Friday, Vaishnaw explained that steel bridges are utilized for spans exceeding 40 meters due to their lightweight nature and ability to support longer distances with enhanced strength. Consequently, bridges spanning from 40 meters to nearly 100-130 meters are all constructed from steel.
He added, 'The Prime Minister has consistently emphasized the importance of adopting innovative working methods and establishing new standards for quality and technology. This project exemplifies that vision. Traffic cannot be halted, and trains cannot be stopped.'
In November 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a thorough review of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project during his visit to Gujarat, marking a pivotal moment in India's advancement toward modern transportation infrastructure.
During this visit, the Prime Minister inspected the Surat station, designed to reflect the city's globally recognized diamond industry. The station, standing at 26.3 meters tall and covering an area of 58,352 square meters, features three levels: the ground floor for parking and security checks, the concourse level for lounges, restrooms, kiosks, and ticketing, and the platform level for passenger boarding.