Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project: Zaroli Mountain Tunnel In Gujarat's Valsad Nearing Completion

The Zaroli mountain tunnel, a key component of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor, is now nearing completion, according to an update shared by National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).

NHSRCL is the implementing agency of the 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.

Situated approximately one kilometre from Zaroli village in Umbergaon taluka of Valsad district, this is the first and only mountain tunnel constructed in Gujarat as part of the 508-kilometre bullet train project.

It spans 350 metres in length and features a single horseshoe-shaped tube with a cross-sectional diameter of 12.6 metres and a height of 10.25 metres.

The tunnel was built using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), which involved drilling, controlled blasting, muck removal, and structural support using shotcrete, steel ribs, lattice girders, and rock bolts.

Despite complex geological conditions, engineers achieved tunnel breakthrough in October 2023, within just 10 months of excavation start.

Designed to accommodate twin Shinkansen-style tracks, the tunnel will allow high-speed trains to pass through at speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour.

Precision in alignment and geometry has been critical, given the high-speed operational requirements.

Zaroli is the first of eight mountain tunnels on the MAHSR route.

This development comes amid significant progress across the 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.

Over 304 km of viaduct and 388 km of pier work have been completed on project.

The project has also seen the completion of 15 river bridges, eight steel bridges, and five pre-stressed concrete (PSC) bridges.

Additionally, around 163 track km of track bed construction has been finalised.

Recently, the NHSRCL has successfully launched the first Full Span Pre-Stressed Concrete (PSC) Box Girder of 40 meters at Sakhare Village, Dahanu in the Maharashtra section of the the Bullet Train corridor.

The 508 Km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, also known as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, will pass through the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

The project has 12 stations planned at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bhaurach, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.

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