The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is progressing at a rapid pace. In a recent development, the National High Speed Rail Corridor Ltd (NHSRCL), which is overseeing the bullet train project, have called a tender for the country's first undersea tunnel, connecting Mumbai underground station at Bandra-Kural Complex with Shilphata in Maharashtra.
The tender was called by NHSRCL on Monday and would involve construction and related civil works for a 20.4 km long tunnel. "The project is likely to be completed within 3.5 years after the selection process of the tender is over," said a NHSRCL spokesperson.
The NHSRCL had earlier conducted a detailed survey of geo-technical investigations of the undersea tunnel area. The report was finalised and submitted sometime last year. The project cost was not disclosed by the company, but said in its tender documents that the cost will be covered from soft loans received by NHSRCL from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Once completed, the undersea tunnel would form an important link to connect with Mumbai, hassle-free.
For environmental clearance of the prioject, NHSRCL claimed that it had 'in-principle approvals' from apex institutes like Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Mangroves Survey of India (MSI), National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), who have studied environmental impact of the project area.
"ZSI in their report have stated that there is minimal disturbance to the wildlife in this region. No mangroves will be cut in this area as it will be an undersea/underground tunnel 20-40 meters below the ground/sea level," said Sushma Gaur, NHSRCL spokesperson.
Japan is aiding India with the development of the high speed rail corridor and providing technological assistance.
The bullet train project is slated to be completed by August 2022. It would travel at speeds exceeding 300 km/hr between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, and have 12 stations in between. As part of the ambitious project, India is likely to pay about Rs 7,000 crore for acquiring 18 bullet trains from Japan.
