India’s First Bullet Train Tunnel Achieves Milestone with Undersea Section Completed in Maharashtra

Shinkansen-Powered Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor Makes Swift Progress with Cutting-Edge Engineering.


India’s first bullet train project—the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor—has reached a significant milestone with the successful completion of the first section of a 21-km undersea tunnel between Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Thane. This marks a historic achievement in India’s infrastructure landscape, as the country embraces next-generation high-speed rail technology in partnership with Japan.

The project, led by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) and supported by Japanese Shinkansen technology, is moving rapidly across the 508 km corridor. So far, 310 km of viaducts and 15 major river bridges have been completed, with construction of four additional bridges in advanced stages. Out of the planned 12 stations, five have been completed, and three more are nearing completion.

Speaking on the occasion, an NHSRCL official said, “This undersea tunnel is a remarkable engineering feat. It reflects the government’s commitment to adopting world-class infrastructure technologies and building a resilient, high-speed transit system for India.”

One of the engineering marvels of the project is the Mumbai terminus at Bandra Kurla Complex, located 32.5 meters underground. The station is designed with a robust foundation capable of supporting a 95-meter high-rise structure above it, highlighting India’s growing expertise in urban infrastructure development.

The Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train will run on Japan’s E10 Shinkansen trains, which are known for their exceptional speed, safety, and reliability. Notably, India and Japan will debut the E10 trains simultaneously, a powerful testament to the strength of the Indo-Japanese strategic and technological partnership.

As construction advances, track laying, electrical overhead equipment installation, and operational systems procurement are also in progress, ensuring the bullet train corridor stays on schedule. Once completed, the project aims to transform India’s passenger rail experience, cutting travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad from over seven hours to under three, while also setting global benchmarks in sustainable, high-speed rail development.