Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train achieves second mountain tunnel breakthrough in Palghar using NATM

Exam-focused facts from the 5 February 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project achieved its second mountain tunnel breakthrough with completion of tunnel MT-6 in Palghar district, Maharashtra.
Tunnel MT-6 is 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide, designed to accommodate both up and down tracks.
The breakthrough follows the first mountain tunnel breakthrough of MT-5 near Saphale on January 2, both completed within one month.
The New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a drill-and-controlled blast technique, was used to excavate MT-6 from both ends.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that seven new high-speed rail corridors have been announced in the Union Budget.
Rs 16,000 crores worth of work is underway for the Mumbai suburban network and the budget for Maharashtra railway is Rs 23,926 crore.