Palghar (Maharashtra): A major engineering milestone has been achieved in the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project with the successful breakthrough of the second mountain tunnel in Palghar district, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Tuesday.
The newly completed Mountain Tunnel–6 (MT-6) is 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide, designed to accommodate both up and down tracks of the bullet train corridor. This marks the second mountain tunnel breakthrough in Palghar within a month, following the completion of MT-5 near Saphale on January 2, 2026.
The tunnel was excavated from both ends using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a drill-and-controlled blast technique suited for complex and variable geological conditions. Excavation of MT-6 was completed within 12 months. A tunnel breakthrough is achieved when excavation teams working from opposite ends meet, creating a continuous passage through the mountain.
Congratulating the project team, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the pace of construction has generated new confidence in India’s high-speed rail programme. He noted that the project is attracting global attention for its use of advanced construction technologies, many of which are now being manufactured domestically under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The minister stated that commercial operations on the Gujarat section of the bullet train corridor are expected to commence next year. High-speed rail services are likely to extend up to Thane by 2028, with the corridor reaching Mumbai by 2029.
Dr. Hemant Vishnu Savara, Member of Parliament from Palghar, was present at the breakthrough event. He highlighted the rapid infrastructure development in the district through projects such as the high-speed rail corridor, the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), and the upcoming Vadhvan Port. He noted that railway investment in Maharashtra has increased significantly since 2014, resulting in faster execution and improved services.
Tunnel Construction and Safety Measures
NATM has been adopted for the Palghar tunnels due to its flexibility in difficult geological conditions where tunnel boring machines are less effective. The method enables real-time design adjustments using shotcrete, rock bolts, and lattice girders, without the need for extremely heavy machinery.
Worker safety inside the tunnels is being ensured through continuous geotechnical monitoring, fire safety systems, controlled access, proper ventilation, and real-time instrumentation.
Progress of Mountain Tunnels in Palghar
| Sr. No. | Tunnel No. | Length (km) | Progress | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MT-1 | 0.820 | 16% | — |
| 2 | MT-2 | 0.228 | — | Preparatory works underway |
| 3 | MT-3 | 1.403 | 41% | — |
| 4 | MT-4 | 1.260 | 32% | — |
| 5 | MT-5 | 1.480 | 57% | Breakthrough on 02 Jan 2026 |
| 6 | MT-6 | 0.454 | 47% | Breakthrough achieved |
| 7 | MT-7 | 0.417 | 29% | — |
A total of seven mountain tunnels are under construction in Palghar district.
Overall Project Status
Construction is progressing rapidly across Maharashtra, including work on:
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The project’s longest river bridge over the Vaitarna River, which has reached pier level
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Foundation works on major river bridges across the Ulhas and Jagani rivers
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All four stations in Maharashtra
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Major national and state highway crossings using long-span steel bridges
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A 21-km underground tunnel between Bandra Kurla Complex and Shilphata
The 508-km MAHSR corridor spans 352 km in Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and 156 km in Maharashtra. It will connect major urban centres including Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Bilimora, Vapi, Boisar, Virar, Thane, and Mumbai.
As of January 27, 2026, approximately 334 km of viaducts, 17 river bridges, and 12 major crossings over highways, railways, and other infrastructure have been completed. Track laying and electrification activities have gathered momentum in the Gujarat section.
Once operational, the bullet train corridor is expected to significantly boost regional economic activity, enable technology transfer, and support the development of new industrial and IT hubs along the route.
