Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project Achieves Major Milestone With 417-Metre Third Mountain Tunnel Completion

Indian Railways has a very ambitious bullet train project running from Mumbai to Ahmedabad which has achieved a critical breakthrough of a third mountain tunnel in Maharashtra. This achievement marks rapid progress in the first high speed rail corridor of the country.

Third Mountain Tunnel Successfully Completed

The newly completed mountain tunnel, identified as MT-07, is located at Ambesari village in Dahanu Taluka of Palghar district, Maharashtra. The tunnel stretches 417 metres in length and measures 14.4 metres in width, allowing accommodation for both up and down tracks of the bullet train corridor.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the tunnel excavation was carried out using a controlled drilling and blasting method from both ends. Engineers had deployed advanced monitoring systems as well as modern safety technologies throughout the construction process so as to ensure precision and structural stability.

The breakthrough of MT-07 is particularly important as it becomes the third mountain tunnel which is completed in Maharashtra within just five months which showcases the accelerated pace of work on the high speed project.

Advanced Safety and Monitoring Systems Used

Officials have stated that sophisticated systems like real time monitoring and geo-technical instruments were installed during the excavation process. These included Surface Settlement Points (SSP), 3D targets, strain gauges, and seismographs to monitor vibrations and tunnel behaviour coinuously.

Worker safety was also given top priority during the operation with the workers being given ventilation systems, fire-safety arrangements, controlled access zones along with constant geotechnical supervision

These technologies are expected to strengthen India’s expertise in advanced rail infrastructure construction while ensuring safe operations for future high-speed train services.

Rapid Progress in Maharashtra Section

The Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project has witnessed multiple tunnel breakthroughs in recent months showcasing the utmost priority given to this project.The first mountain tunnel breakthrough in Maharashtra, MT-05, was achieved near Saphale in Palghar district on January 2, 2026. The tunnel measured approximately 1.5 kilometres in length.

Soon after, the second breakthrough for MT-06 was completed on February 3, 2026. This 454-metre tunnel was excavated using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a globally recognised tunnelling technology designed for complex geological conditions.

Among the eight mountain tunnels planned under the 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.

Currently, MT-03 has crossed 80 percent excavation progress, while MT-04 has reached nearly 60 percent completion. Work on MT-01 and MT-02 is also progressing steadily.