India’s First Bullet Train: 74 Km of Piers Ready in Maharashtra

India’s first bullet train project is making steady progress in Maharashtra, with 74 kilometers of piers now ready for the next stage of viaduct girder installation. The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) said construction is moving ahead across more than 100 kilometers of elevated structures in the Thane-Palghar section.

The development marks an important step for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor, which is expected to transform high-speed connectivity between major cities in western India.

Thane-Palghar Section Covers 135.45 Km

The Maharashtra portion of the bullet train corridor stretches for 135.45 kilometers from Shilphata in Thane to Zaroli near the Maharashtra-Gujarat border.

The section includes about 124 kilometers of viaducts and bridges. Construction is progressing on major elevated stations planned at Thane, Virar and Boisar.

At Thane station, the concourse is being constructed about 12 meters above natural ground level. The design aims to reduce the impact on mangroves in the environmentally sensitive area while supporting the development of the high-speed rail network.

Three Mountain Tunnels Complete Breakthrough

Tunnel construction has also reached a key milestone. Three of the seven mountain tunnels planned in the Maharashtra section have achieved breakthrough.

Work is now continuing on important activities inside the completed tunnels, including drainage systems, waterproofing and tunnel lining. These tunnels are among the technically challenging parts of the route because the corridor passes through hilly terrain.

Major River Bridges Under Construction

The project also includes several large bridges designed to cross major rivers and other important infrastructure.

Three major river bridges under construction include:

• Ulhas River: 460 meters
• Vaitarna River: 2.32 kilometers
• Jagani River: 510 meters

The Maharashtra section will have 36 bridges and crossings in total. This includes 12 steel bridges over major railway lines, the Ulhas River, the Mumbai-Nashik Highway and other key locations.

Construction Moves Toward Viaduct Girder Installation

With 74 kilometers of piers prepared, the project is gradually moving from foundation and pier construction to the next phase of installing viaduct girders.

To maintain the construction pace, nine casting yards are currently operational in Maharashtra. The project is also supported by seven full-span launching gantries and eight SBS launching gantries.

These facilities and specialized machines are helping teams build and install large sections of the elevated railway structure more efficiently.

Complex Engineering Across Thane and Palghar

The Thane-Palghar stretch is one of the most technically diverse parts of the bullet train project. The route passes through busy urban areas, rivers, highways, railway corridors, hills and environmentally sensitive zones.

The latest progress shows that work is advancing across several parts of the corridor at the same time. As pier construction moves forward and tunnel and bridge work continues, the Maharashtra section is taking shape as an important part of India’s first high-speed rail network.