Bullet Train Project: Undersea Tunnel Section Opens in Milestone

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Next-Gen E10 Shinkansen Trains to Debut Simultaneously in India and Japan as Part of Strategic Partnership

By S JHA

MUMBAI, July 14, 2025—India’s ambitious Bullet Train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad achieved a major breakthrough on Monday with the opening of the first section of its 21-kilometre undersea tunnel between Ghansoli and Shilphata in Maharashtra, the Ministry of Railways announced in a statement.

This milestone marks a significant leap forward in the construction of the 508-km-long Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor, India’s first bullet train project, being developed with Japanese Shinkansen technology under a strategic partnership between India and Japan.

The Ministry confirmed that civil works are progressing rapidly across the corridor, with 310 km of viaduct already completed. The progress includes 15 river bridges and five out of 12 planned stations fully built, while three more are nearing completion. The underground station at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai is being hailed as an engineering marvel — built 32.5 meters below ground, it is designed to support a 95-meter high structure above it.

E10 Shinkansen to Power the Future of Indian Rail

In a major announcement, the Ministry revealed that the next-generation E10 Shinkansen trains — successors to the current E5 series — will debut simultaneously in India and Japan. The move signals deepening Indo-Japanese collaboration in high-speed rail technology.

“The Japanese government has agreed to introduce the E10 Shinkansen in the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, marking a global first with parallel introduction in both countries,” the statement said.

The entire MAHSR corridor is being developed using advanced Japanese Shinkansen technology, known for its benchmark-setting standards in speed, safety, and reliability. The introduction of E10 trains is expected to redefine high-speed travel in India and offer a seamless blend of comfort and cutting-edge engineering.

A Background to India’s First Bullet Train Project

Announced in 2017 and jointly launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train project is India’s first venture into high-speed rail. With funding and technical support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the ₹1.1 lakh crore project aims to connect the financial capital Mumbai with Ahmedabad in Gujarat in just over 2 hours, compared to 7 hours by conventional rail.

The corridor, spanning 508 kilometers, is being executed by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL). Of the total stretch, 352 km lies in Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, while 156 km is in Maharashtra. The alignment features 12 stations and includes India’s first undersea tunnel — a 21 km stretch, including 7 km under the Arabian Sea.

Laying the Tracks for the Future

Track laying, construction of overhead electrification, bridges, and station facilities is underway at a rapid pace. Procurement of operational systems, signalling, and control is progressing in parallel to ensure the corridor meets international benchmarks upon completion.

The government said the success of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed corridor is laying the groundwork for future bullet train routes across the country, with several new corridors currently 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 Railways Ministry stated. The Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train is expected to be operational by 2028.

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