India’s Bullet Train Project Speeds Ahead With Vaitarna River Bridge Construction In Maharashtra

Construction is progressing rapidly on a temporary access bridge over the Vaitarna River in Maharashtra, part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.

Spanning about 2.32 kilometres, the bridge, located in the Nashik and Palghar districts, will be the longest river crossing along the entire route.

This vital structure will facilitate the movement of logistics and equipment, playing a critical role in advancing the high-speed rail project.

Meanwhile, in Gujarat, the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) is also making progress on the corridor. Work is underway on 11 of the 20 river bridges planned for the state, including a 1.4-kilometre bridge over the Narmada River between Surat and Bharuch railway stations. NHSRCL plans to launch girders from both ends of the structure to expedite the construction process, as per Financial Express report.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train route includes 24 river bridges, with 20 located in Gujarat, underscoring the state's pivotal role in the project. The Narmada bridge is particularly challenging, with 25 circular piers and well foundations, some extending deeper than 70 metres — four of which will exceed the height of Delhi's iconic Qutub Minar.

NHSRCL has already completed several key bridges in Gujarat, including those over the Kaveri, Purna, Mindhola, Ambika, and Venganiya rivers in Navsari district, as well as the Kolak, Par, and Auranga rivers in Valsad district.

The 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor will feature 12 stations, with eight in Gujarat and four in Maharashtra. The stations in Gujarat will be located at Sabarmati, Ahmedabad, Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Bilimora, and Vapi. Maharashtra will host stations at Boisar, Virar, Thane, and Mumbai.

The government aims to operationalise the bullet train's first phase between Surat and Bilimora in South Gujarat by 2026.

The NHSRCL aims to complete the bullet train project by 2028, with the train expected to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to three hours.