For the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project, a 21-kilometer tunnel between Shilphata and the Bandra Kurla Complex is being built. Three Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) will excavate 16 kilometres of the entire length, and the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) will be used to construct the remaining 5 km.
In order to build the 16-kilometer section using TBMs, 7,441 rings will be formed by casting 76,940 segments. For the tunnel lining, special ring segments are being cast. Each ring is two metres wide and 0.5 metres thick, and it consists of nine bent segments and one key segment.
Superior structural integrity and long-term durability are ensured by the use of high-strength M70 grade concrete. Currently undergoing commissioning is Mahape, Thane district, Maharashtra’s 98,898 sqm (9.9 hectare) casting and stacking yard. There will be nine sets of moulds in the garden, with each set having ten parts. On-site installation of four sets of these moulds is under underway.
The yard has a variety of cranes, gantries, and other equipment to automate and mechanise the casting processes, guaranteeing a high standard of quality assurance throughout the segment stacking and casting processes. The facility will also have a batching plant, steam curing area, casting sheds, and a stacking area.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project is making significant progress, with the casting of 76,000 precast segments for the construction of a 16-km-long tunnel under the Thane Creek. This tunnel will be India’s first undersea rail tunnel, a crucial component of the High-Speed Rail (HSR) corridor being developed by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).
Tunnel Construction Details
- The 16-km tunnel will include 7 km under the sea, connecting Mumbai and Thane.
- 76,000 precast segments will be manufactured and assembled using advanced Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology and the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM).
- The tunnel will accommodate the high-speed E5 Series Shinkansen bullet trains, which will operate at speeds of 320 km/h.
Engineering and Safety Measures
- The tunnel will have a 13.2-meter diameter, making it India’s largest rail tunnel in terms of width.
- Advanced waterproofing and seismic safety measures are being implemented to withstand undersea pressure and geological challenges.
- Ventilation, escape routes, and emergency access points are being integrated for passenger safety.
Project Timeline and Impact
- The casting of tunnel segments is expected to be completed within the next two years.
- Once operational, the Bullet Train will significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, boosting connectivity and economic growth.
The Bullet Train Project marks a major step in India’s infrastructure development, setting new benchmarks in high-speed rail technology.
Group Media Publication
Construction, Infrastructure and Mining
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