Vinod Bhat
Mumbai: Construction of India’s first bullet train project is progressing across the varied terrain of Maharashtra’s Thane and Palghar districts, with work advancing on elevated viaducts, stations, tunnels and major bridges along the corridor.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared details of the ongoing construction, highlighting the progress on the 135.45-km elevated section between Shilphata in Thane and Zaroli village on the Maharashtra-Gujarat border.
Of the total stretch, 124.027 km comprises viaducts and bridges. Construction is also underway at three elevated stations at Thane, Virar and Boisar.
At Thane, the station’s concourse level is being constructed around 12 metres above the natural ground level to help preserve mangroves in the eco-sensitive area.
Pier construction has progressed across more than 100 km, with around 74 km of piers ready for installation of viaduct girders. Nine casting yards, seven full-span launching gantries and eight SBS launching gantries are currently operational in Maharashtra.
The section also includes seven mountain tunnels, three of which have achieved breakthrough. Drainage, waterproofing and tunnel-lining work is now underway in these tunnels.
Major bridges are being constructed over the Ulhas River, Vaitarna River and Jagani River, measuring 460 metres, 2.32 km and 510 metres respectively.
The project further includes 36 bridges and crossings, including 12 steel bridges over major railway lines, the Ulhas River and the Mumbai-Nashik Highway.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project is being developed to connect Mumbai with Ahmedabad through a high-speed rail corridor, with construction progressing across multiple sections.
