Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has shared a glimpse of construction work taking shape across Thane and Palghar on India’s first bullet train corridor, describing progress on the 135.45-km elevated section stretching from Shilphata in Thane district to Zaroli village on the Maharashtra-Gujarat border.
According to the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited, 124.027 km of the section comprises viaducts and bridges. Pier work is underway across more than 100 km, with nearly 74 km of piers already completed and ready for viaduct girder installation. The work is being supported by nine casting yards, seven full-span launching gantries and eight SBS launching gantries, all currently operational in Maharashtra.
Three elevated stations are coming up along the stretch, Thane, Virar and Boisar. The Thane station features a concourse level around 12 metres above natural ground level, designed to protect local mangroves in the eco-sensitive zone.
Tunnel construction is also progressing, with three of seven planned mountain tunnels having achieved breakthrough, and drainage, waterproofing and lining work now underway. Key bridges include a 460-metre bridge over the Ulhas River, a 2.32-km bridge over the Vaitarna River and a 510-metre bridge over the Jagani River. Overall, the section will feature 36 bridges and crossings, including 12 steel bridges over major railway lines and the Mumbai-Nashik Highway.
