Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project Clears Major Hurdle: China Relents, Mega Tunnel Machine Set To Arrive Soon | World News

Mumbai: India’s flagship Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project is finally preparing to overcome one of the biggest obstacles. A large tunnel boring machine (TBM), which is stranded in a port of China, is expected to reach Mumbai until September 24th. Authorities confirmed that after the factory test and assembly, tunnel operations will start in January 2027.

The TBM became a major bottleneck for India’s first high -speed railway project. Although the German tunnel company Herrenknecht was produced at the Guangzhou facility, the shipment from China was delayed. Authorities in Beijing did not provide an official reason to wait.

The issue was resolved after diplomatic participation during the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping at the summit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tianjin. The issue also increased through the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was coordinated with the Railway Ministry to ensure the release of the equipment.

Sources confirmed that Indian delegation emphasized the shipment of TBM as a critical bottleneck that requires Beijing’s cooperation. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that TBMs are now cleaned for transit.

The first TBM is expected to reach Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) until 24 or 25 September and the latter is scheduled to arrive in the following weeks. After the operation in January 2027, the machines will start underground construction businesses by marking the removal of the most important foreign obstacle of the project.

A senior official described it as a “most serious foreign obstacle ına to the execution of the lead train.

There were roots after the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict between the Indian and Chinese forces. Since then, India has closely examined Chinese investments and shipments, causing delays and cancellations in many contracts, including Chinese offers for Mumbai Monorail and agreements exceeding 5,000 RS in Maharashtra.

The underground segment labeled C-2 is carried out by AfCons infrastructure Limited. The contract issued in June 2023 has a 5.17 -year timeline and 6,397 RS. The first study includes the construction of vertical shafts in BKC (36 meters), Vikhroli (56 meters) and Sawli (39 meters), a slope in Gansoli (42 meters) and a portal in Shilphata. These structures will serve as launch and recovery points for TBMS.

TBMS will tunnel a 5 -kilometer stretch using the new Austrian tunnel method (NATM). The tunnel will work 25 to 65 meters below the surface and dive up to 114 meters under the Parnic Hill near Shilphata. When completed, it contains a single tube carrying both up and down tracks of the bullet train. The machine has a mixed shield specially designed to navigate in complex geological formations.

The 20.37-kilometer underground part will connect Bandon-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphatata, including a 7-kilometer submarine segment under Than Creek. NHSRCL initially plans to distribute two TBMs with the option to use one -third if necessary to meet the project time.

On the way to India, the TBM is currently preparing to switch to the critical underground construction stage and points to a large milestone for the high -speed railway targets of the country.