First steel bridge installed in Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed train project in Maharashtra
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First steel bridge installed in Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed train project in Maharashtra

Work on the high-speed train project in Gujarat is progressing rapidly, and construction pace has become noticeable in Maharashtra as well. The first steel bridge was installed within the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed train project in Maharashtra.

This 100-meter bridge weighing approximately 1,405 metric tons was assembled in the Bhivandi, Thane area, over National Highway-3. The total high-speed rail line between Mumbai and Ahmedabad spans 508 kilometers, and numerous large bridges and other structures are being built along this entire route. The installation of the first steel bridge in Maharashtra is considered a significant achievement in this segment of the project.

According to data from the National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL), this steel bridge was installed in the village of Dive-Anjur in Bhivandi on Monday. The bridge measures 100 meters in length, 14 meters in height, and 14 meters in width. Approximately 1,405 metric tons of steel were used for its construction.

Notably, this bridge was manufactured not in Maharashtra, but in a specialized workshop in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. After manufacturing, it traveled about 1,300 kilometers and was transported to Thane on a trailer. Its sections were joined and erected at the designated site. Project representatives noted that this demonstrates the utilization of technologies and production capacities available in the country.

The bridge installation was carried out at night during a planned closure of traffic on the highway to minimize impact on traffic flow. NHSRCL reported that an automated crane was used to launch the steel bridge. This system allowed the finished steel structure to be slowly delivered to the installation site. Safety of the structure and people traveling on the highway was ensured throughout all operations.

Special painting work was performed to ensure the bridge's durability, and elastomeric bearings were installed. These bearings help cope with vibrations and other loads affecting the bridge structure, extending its service life.

With the launch of the first steel bridge in Maharashtra, the total number of completed steel bridges on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor has reached 16 out of 28. Of these, 15 bridges have been constructed in the Gujarat section of the high-speed rail corridor. Thus, more than half of the work related to steel bridges is complete. Construction and installation of the remaining 12 steel bridges will continue.

Although the majority of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad project is located in Gujarat, the construction pace is also accelerating in Maharashtra. This 508-kilometer high-speed corridor is intended to connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad, significantly reducing travel time between the two cities. As bridges, tracks, and other necessary structures become ready, the project work will become even more apparent.

As of the end of July 2026, the overall construction volume of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed train project was completed at 62.16%. In response to an RTI request, NHSRCL reported that the land parcel of 1,389.49 hectares for the 508-kilometer corridor has been fully acquired. This area includes 959.04 hectares in Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, as well as 430.45 hectares in Maharashtra.

Currently, beams spanning 366 kilometers have been installed on the viaduct, and beams have been poured for approximately 380 kilometers. Furthermore, foundation work is complete over an area of 459.90 kilometers, and pylon work is complete over 455.10 kilometers. Foundations and upper structures are ready at all stations in Gujarat, while station construction in Maharashtra is ongoing. The project also includes a 21-kilometer tunnel, about 7 kilometers of which passes under the sea. Tunnel construction is being carried out using a tunneling complex and a new Austrian tunneling method, and 4.88 kilometers of the tunnel have been completed to date.

Of the eight mountain tunnels, four have been completely breached. Work at Sabarmati depot is 32.28% complete, and at Thane depot, it is 17.23% complete. As of August 27, 2026, track sleepers have been laid on 97 kilometers of the route. Work is also advancing on rolling stock; BEML has received an order to design, construct, and commission two high-speed trains, and construction of the first train has already begun.

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Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail construction is 62% complete, but service start dates are unknown
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Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail construction is 62% complete, but service start dates are unknown

According to information obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) request, the construction of the high-speed rail project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad reached 62.16% by the end of July 2026. This data was provided by the National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL).

When NHSRCL was asked about the estimated completion date of the project, it was stated that an assessment of the timeline is only possible after all contracts have been transferred and rolling stock supply is secured. The response to the RTI request, submitted on August 17, 2026, was provided on September 21, 2026.

For this project, 1389.49 hectares of land were acquired for the 508-kilometer corridor. This area includes 959.04 hectares in Gujarat and Dadra and North Goa, as well as 430.45 hectares in Maharashtra.

According to the RTI response, beams have been installed on 366 kilometers of viaducts, and beams for approximately 380 kilometers have already been cast. Foundation work is complete over a distance of 459.90 kilometers, and piers have been prepared along 455.10 kilometers. In all Gujarat stations, foundation and superstructure works are finished, and final finishing work is currently underway. Station construction continues in Maharashtra.

The project includes a 21-kilometer tunnel, seven kilometers of which will be underwater. NHSRCL reports that tunnel construction is being carried out using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). Part of the tunnel built using the innovative Austrian tunneling method amounts to 4.88 kilometers. Of the eight mountain tunnels, four have been fully bored.

As per the RTI response, 32.28% of the work is complete at Sabarmati station, and 17.23% at Thane station. As of August 27, 2026, slabs for the railway track, including CAM injections, have been laid over 97 kilometers of the route.

The integral coach factory in Chennai has awarded BEML a contract for the design, construction, and commissioning of two high-speed trains for this corridor. NHSRCL confirmed that production of the first train has already begun. The corporation also noted that the Mumbai-Ahmedabad line is currently the only approved high-speed rail project under construction.

India's first high-speed railway: Tunnel and station construction in the Vapi-Surat section
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India's first high-speed railway: Tunnel and station construction in the Vapi-Surat section

Preparations for the launch of India's first high-speed railway are actively continuing, and work on the railway stations being built for this project is progressing at a high speed. The Ministry of Railways and the Railway Minister regularly publish updates on this topic on social media platforms such as Twitter (now X).

The Ministry of Railways shared a video demonstrating the progress of work at the railway station and on the track itself in the Vapi-Surat section. This video quickly went viral. The video clearly shows that to ensure high train speeds on this high-speed route, work is underway to lay tunnels through mountains, install the railway track over a river, and carry out electrification work at a military level. Furthermore, the railways showed preliminary footage of the multi-story station for the high-speed train.

Construction of the Vapi-Surat section is proceeding very rapidly. The Railway Minister indicated that the first high-speed railway may begin operating on tracks possibly as early as August 15 of next year. This will be the country's first high-speed train to operate on the 508-kilometer Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor. Of this corridor, 348 kilometers pass through Gujarat, and the Vapi-Surat section shown by the Ministry of Railways accounts for about 100 kilometers.

Although the entire 508-kilometer Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor includes a certain number of stops, 12 stops were planned for this segment. The first high-speed train station is located in Sabarmati, and the last one is in Mumbai. In addition to Sabarmati and Mumbai (BKC), the list includes towns such as Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, and Ahmedabad.

When the high-speed train reaches its full operational speed, it will travel at 320 kilometers per hour. However, between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, the average speed of the high-speed train is expected to be around 300 kilometers per hour next year. Previously, the journey between Mumbai and Ahmedabad on the fastest trains took approximately 6 hours. After the high-speed train launches, this time will be reduced to just 2 hours. This will not only save valuable passenger time but also boost trade activity between the two states.

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