Mumbai‑Ahmedabad High‑Speed Rail Project Reaches Major Milestone; Surat‑Billimora Section To Be Done by December 2027
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw triggered a controlled dynamite blast on Saturday, 20 September 2025, completing the excavation of a 5‑km tunnel in Thane (between Ghansoli and Shilphata) as part of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project. This tunnel is part of a larger, 21‑km tunnel section, of which 7 km passes through sea.
What This Means
- The completed 5 km stretch is a significant portion of the larger tunnel section between Ghansoli and Shilphata.
- Work was done using the drill-and-blast method so far. Going forward, a tunnel boring machine (TBM) will be used for remaining tunneling work.
Projected Timeline
- The 50‑km first section between Surat and Billimora is expected to be completed by December 2027.
- The entire Mumbai‑Ahmedabad bullet train route spans 508 km.
Strategic & Technical Details
- The 21‑km tunnel section includes a 7‑km sea passage—this presents engineering challenges related to stability, water ingress, and technical complexity.
- The use of different tunneling techniques (blast vs boring) shows adaptation to geology and environmental constraints.
This 5‑km breakthrough in Thane marks a key momentum boost for India’s bullet train ambition. As foundational segments like the Surat‑Billimora stretch near completion, the project is steadily moving from blueprints into reality. For commuters and infrastructure watchers alike, the countdown to high‑speed rail in Western India is now more meaningful than ever.
