Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project: Larsen & Toubro Secures Second Major Track-Work Contract
India’s ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor has achieved another significant milestone with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) securing its second major contract for the project. The Rs 2,500-5,000 crore order, awarded by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL), involves constructing 156 route kilometers of high-speed ballastless track under Package T1.
Second Major Win for L&T
This contract marks L&T’s second track-work package in the MAHSR project, building on its earlier April 2022 win of Package T3, covering 116 kilometers from south Vadodara city to Sabarmati depot. Together, L&T now controls over 50 percent of the track-works for the entire 508-kilometer corridor, underscoring the company’s pivotal role in this transformative infrastructure development.
Package T1 spans from Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex to Zaroli village in Gujarat, encompassing approximately 21 kilometers of underground track and 135 kilometers of elevated viaduct sections. The comprehensive scope will involve complex engineering, including tunnel work and construction on viaducts over challenging terrains.
Japanese Technology Deployment
A key highlight of this project is the deployment of cutting-edge Japanese Shinkansen J Slab Track Technology, an advanced ballastless slab track system known for its durability, smooth ride quality, and maintenance efficiency. This technology is the same that supports Japan’s famous bullet trains, enabling speeds up to 320 kilometers per hour.
To support successful implementation, 436 engineers have undergone specialized training in advanced construction techniques related to this technology in Gujarat. Additional training for engineering teams in Maharashtra is planned before the start of track construction, ensuring skilled preparedness for the challenging infrastructure demands.
Project Progress Accelerates
The overall progress of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is substantial. As of September 2025, completed construction highlights include 320 kilometers of viaducts, 397 kilometers of pier works, and 408 kilometers of pier foundations. The corridor also features 17 river bridges, nine steel bridges, and five pre-stressed concrete bridges completed to date.
L&T’s Whole-time Director & Senior EVP (Civil Infrastructure), S V Desai, highlighted that the success in previous packages was driven by rapid technology absorption, indigenization of plant and machinery, and value engineering approaches, which will continue to underpin their delivery for Package T1.
Looking Ahead
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is poised to revolutionize travel between two of India’s most dynamic economic hubs. The first operational section, utilizing next-generation E10 Shinkansen trains, is expected to open by 2026, bringing high-speed rail technology and faster connectivity to India for the first time. With L&T’s expanded role and the integration of Japanese technology, the project remains on track for timely execution, promising a new era of rail travel in India.