Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways addressed questions regarding the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, a 508 km corridor under execution with assistance from the Government of Japan. Construction is in progress, with significant portions of pier construction, girder launching, and casting completed. The Gujarat portion of the corridor is planned for completion by December 2027, and the entire project is expected to be completed by December 2029.
Key Points / Main Content:
Project Overview:
* The MumbaiAhmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project spans 508 km.
* The project is receiving technical and financial assistance from the Government of Japan.
* The corridor passes through Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territory of Dadra Nagar Haveli.
* 12 stations are planned at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati.
Construction Progress:
* 393 km of pier construction, 311 km of girder launching, and 333 km of girder casting have been completed.
* 127 km of viaducts have been handed over to the track contractor.
* Rail laying and erection of Overhead Equipment (OHE) masts have commenced.
* The work on the only tunnel in Gujarat has been completed.
* The undersea tunnel work has started, with 4 km completed out of 4.8 km between Ghansoli and Shilphata in Maharashtra.
Financial Information:
* The total estimated cost of the MAHSR project is approximately Rs. 1,08,000 crores.
* Cumulative financial expenditure of Rs. 78,839 crore has been incurred on the project till 30.06.2025.
Environmental and Safety Measures:
* A detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study and a comprehensive Environment Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMoP) have been implemented.
* A comprehensive Safety Health Environment (SHE) manual has been prepared.
* A study by the Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR) concluded that the tunnelling at a depth of 20 m from the bed level has no effect on the mud flats of Thane Creek.
* All recommendations of CSIR will be implemented with continuous monitoring during tunnelling construction.
Projected Timelines:
* The Gujarat portion of the corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by December 2027.
* The entire project from BKC to Sabarmati section is expected to be completed by December 2029.
Impact Analysis:
Government of India/Ministry of Railways:
* Impact: Responsible for the overall execution and oversight of the MAHSR project.
* Action Required: Continue monitoring the progress of the project, address any challenges that may arise, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
Government of Japan:
* Impact: Provides technical and financial assistance for the MAHSR project.
* Action Required: Continue to provide the agreed-upon assistance and collaborate with the Indian government to ensure the project's success.
National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL):
* Impact: Responsible for the implementation of the MAHSR project.
* Action Required: Continue overseeing construction, ensuring environmental and safety measures are followed, and meeting project timelines.
Residents of Gujarat and Maharashtra:
* Impact: Will benefit from improved transportation infrastructure upon completion of the project. May experience temporary disruptions during construction.
* Action Required: Stay informed about project updates and any potential disruptions.
Environment/Thane Creek Ecology:
* Impact: Potential impact on mangroves and Thane Creek ecology during excavation and construction.
* Action Required: Continuous monitoring during construction and implementation of CSIR recommendations.
Key Entities Referenced
Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor: A high-speed rail project connecting Mumbai, Maharashtra and Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Maharashtra: A state in India through which the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor passes.
Gujarat: A state in India through which the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor passes.
Thane Creek: An area in Maharashtra with sensitive ecology, including mangroves, that is being monitored during the construction of the undersea tunnel.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL): The organization responsible for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project.
Government of Japan: Providing technical and financial assistance for the MumbaiAhmedabad High Speed Rail MAHSR Project.
Dadra Nagar Haveli: A Union Territory in India through which the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor passes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2803
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
MUMBAI-AHMEDABAD HIGH SPEED RAIL TUNNEL
2803. SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:
SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:
SHRI MANISH JAISWAL:
SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether first operational section of the 21 km underground tunnel
featuring a 7 km under sea passage has now opened between Ghansoli
and Shilphata in Maharashtra, as part of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High
Speed Rail Corridor and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any safety and environmental monitoring systems has been
implemented properly in this undersea section, particularly to protect
nearby mangroves and Thane Creek ecology during excavation and
construction and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of the total stretch of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed
Rail Corridor in terms of length that has been completed along with the
time by when remaining portion will be completed/operational for
commutation; and
(d) the details of the total expenditure on the manufacturing of the said
corridor till now along with expenditure on its full completion?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d): The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project
(508 km) is under execution with technical and financial assistance
from Government of Japan. The Project is passing through the States of
Gujarat, Maharashtra and Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli with
Cont….2/--:2:-
12 stations planned at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora,
Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.
Construction work is in progress on elevated viaducts, major river
bridges, station buildings and Tunnels. Total 393 kms of Pier
construction, 311 kms of Girder launching (superstructure) and 333 kms
of Girder casting have been completed. Total 127 kms of viaducts have
been handed over to track contractor. Rail laying and erection of
Overhead Equipment (OHE) masts commenced. Work of the only tunnel
in Gujarat has been completed. Total estimated cost of MAHSR project
is approximately Rs.1,08,000 crores. Cumulative Financial expenditure
of Rs. 78,839/- crore has been incurred on the project till 30.06.2025.
The work of the under-sea tunnel (21Km approx.) featuring a 7 Km
under sea passage has started. Out of 4.8 km between Ghansoli and
Shilphata in Maharashtra, 4 km stretch is completed.
National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has conducted
detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study along with
comprehensive Environment Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMoP).
In addition to this a comprehensive Safety Health & Environment (SHE)
manual has also been prepared. A study on impact on mud flats of
Thane Creek was conducted by Council of Scientific & Industrial
Research (CSIR) and they concluded that there is no effect of High-
Speed Rail tunnelling at a depth of 20 m from the bed level. During the
tunnelling construction all the recommendations of CSIR shall be
implemented with continuous monitoring.
The Gujarat portion of the corridor between Vapi and Sabarmati is
planned to be completed by Dec, 2027. The entire project (BKC to
Sabarmati section) is expected to be completed by Dec, 2029. However,
Bullet train project is a very complex and technology intensive Project.
Exact timelines and cost for the completion of the project can be
reasonably ascertained after the completion of all associated works of
Civil Structures, Track, Electrical, Signaling & Telecommunication and
supply of Trainsets.
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