Bullet Train Project Reaches Major Milestone with Afcons’ TBM Assembly
The Bullet Train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad has achieved another crucial step as Afcons Infrastructure begins assembling India’s largest tunnel boring machine (TBM) in Navi Mumbai. This development signals the start of underground tunneling work that will define one of the most challenging engineering tasks of the high-speed rail corridor.
Located at Shaft-3 in Sawli, Ghansoli, the mixshield TBM is being prepared for launch in a specially constructed 39-meter-deep circular shaft. This massive machine, supplied by Germany’s Herrenknecht AG, will handle tunneling operations for the project’s 20.37 km underground section, known as Package C-2, stretching from Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to Shilphata Ramp.
Bullet Train Project Prepares for Historic Tunneling Work
The TBM, boasting a cutterhead diameter of 13.56 meters, is the largest ever deployed in India. Its arrival marks a turning point in the Bullet Train project, especially after a year-long delay caused by export restrictions in China, where the machine was manufactured.
Afcons’ engineers have already begun the assembly process at the site, ensuring the machine is ready for operation soon. Once commissioned, the TBM will begin its tunneling journey from Sawli towards Vikhroli, creating part of the 16 km single-tube tunnel that forms the heart of the underground section.
Recently, another milestone was achieved on September 20, when a 4.88 km tunnel between Ghansoli and Shilphata was successfully completed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). This tunnel is part of the planned 21 km underground stretch connecting Mumbai’s BKC and Shilphata.
How Afcons’ TBM Will Transform the Bullet Train Project
The launch of Afcons’ TBM is a landmark in India’s infrastructure history. The Bullet Train project is designed to revolutionize intercity travel between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, reducing travel time to just over two hours.
The TBM will help construct a major portion of the tunnel that passes beneath densely populated urban areas and complex geological conditions. Its precision engineering ensures safety and efficiency while minimizing surface disruptions during the tunneling process.
The Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor is being implemented by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), with support from Japanese partners under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The overall plan includes several cutting-edge technologies inspired by Japan’s Shinkansen system.
What Lies Ahead for India’s Bullet Train Vision
As the Bullet Train project advances, India is moving closer to realizing its first high-speed rail network. The project not only represents a technological leap but also promises to boost regional connectivity and economic growth across Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Afcons’ upcoming tunneling work marks the beginning of one of the most complex phases of construction. With both TBMs soon operational, the underground segment connecting Mumbai to Shilphata will take significant shape in the coming months.
Experts suggest that such large-scale engineering efforts will set a new benchmark for future infrastructure projects in the country. Also Read: CTO Mira Murati Sparks Bold AI Shift as Meta Hires Thinking Machines Cofounder Andrew Tulloch | 2025 Update
Conclusion
The Bullet Train project continues to gather pace with Afcons’ massive TBM nearing readiness. As tunneling begins, this development brings India one step closer to launching its first high-speed rail system an ambitious vision of modern transport and engineering excellence.
