India’s first bullet train initiative gained fresh momentum with the initiation of the second TBM assembly at Savli, near Mumbai’s Ghansoli. This high-speed rail corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is steadily progressing, with underground tunneling set to commence soon.
Deep beneath the surface, 39 meters down in the Savli shaft, technicians are piecing together the sophisticated TBM destined for the Vikhroli stretch. A highlight of the assembly was the careful descent of a 190-tonne gantry, an engineering marvel at 18x10x9 meters. Such feats highlight the project’s cutting-edge approach.
Each TBM relies on four gantries linked to its core shield and cutterhead, enabling synchronized excavation, sealing against water ingress, and segment placement. Space limitations at the site demanded ingenious engineering solutions, ensuring every piece was installed methodically.
Come July, tunneling will begin from Savli, a pivotal phase for the underground portions. Reflecting on recent triumphs, the team in Ahmedabad’s Maninagar deftly placed a massive 1,360-tonne, 34-meter precast beam atop live tracks in under 4 hours, leveraging a heavy-duty crane amid minimal disruptions.
The 508-km corridor, engineered with Shinkansen precision by the National High Speed Rail Corporation, integrates viaducts, bridges, and tunnels. Linking Bandra Kurla Complex to Sabarmati, it will transform inter-city travel, cutting hours off journeys and fostering regional development.
