Mumbai: Bullet Train Underground Tunnel Work Picks Up Speed! Second TBM Machine Arrives at Ghansoli for 21 km Tunnel
Mumbai, 26th May 2026: Work on the underground section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project has now gained significant momentum. The massive cutter head of a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) has been successfully lowered into the Savalo shaft near Ghansoli. This giant cutter head has a diameter of 13.6 metres and weighs approximately 350 tonnes.
The TBM machine, having arrived at Ghansoli, will begin its underground journey and bore the tunnel in the direction of Vikhroli. Just a few days ago, the cutter head of the first TBM had been lowered at Vikhroli. Now, after the final assembly and testing of both machines are completed, actual tunnelling work is set to begin in the first week of July 2026.
Notably, with the help of these advanced TBMs, both the up and down lines of the bullet train will be constructed within a single large tunnel. The cutter head is fitted with 84 cutter discs, 124 scrapers, and 16 bucket lips, enabling faster and safer breaking of hard rock and removal of debris.
Giant Cutter Head Specifications:
Diameter: 13.6 metres
Weight: 350 tonnes
Cutter discs: 84
Scrapers: 124
Bucket lips: 16
Machinery Ready
Each TBM is 15.32 metres in length and is equipped with components such as a cutter wheel, main shield, tail shield, jaw crusher, and four special gantries. This machinery is capable of operating at a speed of four RPM (rotations per minute).
