Bullet train project: Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor to get E10 trains, first section of undersea tunnel opens

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project has achieved a major milestone with the opening of the first section of its 21-km undersea tunnel between Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Thane, the railways ministry said on Monday.

The project has also completed construction of 310 km of viaducts, with track laying, erection of overhead electrical wires, and work on stations and bridges progressing rapidly.

“The construction work in Maharashtra has also picked up pace. In parallel, the progress on procurement of systems for operations and control is also going on well,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government has agreed to introduce the next-generation E10 Shinkansen trains for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor. The E10 trains will be introduced simultaneously in Japan and India under the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Japan currently operates E5 Shinkansen trains.

The 508-km corridor is being developed with Japanese Shinkansen technology, which is known for its high standards of speed, safety, and reliability, the ministry said, adding that it reflects deep technological cooperation between India and Japan.

Providing an update on the progress of civil works across the alignment, the ministry said that work on 15 river bridges has been finished, and four others are in advanced stages of construction.

Out of the 12 stations planned, five have been completed, and three more are nearing completion, it said.

“The station at BKC is an engineering marvel. The station will be located 32.5 m below ground and the foundation is designed to support the construction of a 95 m high building above ground,” it added.

The government said that the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project is laying the foundation for future bullet train corridors in the country, with several such corridors under active consideration.

“This remarkable pace of development showcases India’s capability to execute world-class infrastructure using cutting-edge global technology, with Japan playing a pivotal role as a trusted partner in this transformative journey,” the statement added.