Lok Sabha Question No. 2803 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Tunnel
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri Manish Jaiswal, Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao

## 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

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  HighSpeed 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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