UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — First Mountain Tunnel Breakthrough Achieved in Bullet Train Project at Palghar, Maharashtra: Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw

Q1. In the equity structure of the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), the single largest shareholding is held by which one of the following?

  • A. Government of Gujarat
  • B. Government of Maharashtra
  • C. Government of India through the Ministry of Railways
  • D. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Q2. The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), incorporated in February 2016, was set up under which one of the following?

  • A. The Railways Act, 1989
  • B. The Companies Act, 2013
  • C. The Companies Act, 1956
  • D. A special resolution of the Railway Board with no statutory registration

Q3. How many stations are planned along the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor?

  • A. 8
  • B. 10
  • C. 12
  • D. 14

Q4. With reference to the distribution of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor between the two States, consider the following statements: 1. Of the corridor's roughly 508 km, more than two-thirds lies in Gujarat (with Dadra & Nagar Haveli) rather than in Maharashtra. 2. The two terminal stations of the corridor are Mumbai (BKC) in Maharashtra and Sabarmati in Gujarat. 3. The corridor has more stations located in Maharashtra than in Gujarat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Of the corridor's roughly 508 km, more than two-thirds lies in Gujarat (with Dadra & Nagar Haveli) rather than in Maharashtra.
  2. The two terminal stations of the corridor are Mumbai (BKC) in Maharashtra and Sabarmati in Gujarat.
  3. The corridor has more stations located in Maharashtra than in Gujarat.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Which one of the following best describes the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) employed for excavating the MT-5 mountain tunnel?

  • A. A mechanised method in which a rotating cutterhead behind a protective shield bores continuously through rock, erecting a precast lining as it advances
  • B. An observational drill-and-controlled-blast method in which support is installed progressively based on real-time monitoring of ground behaviour during excavation
  • C. A method in which a trench is dug from the surface, the tunnel structure built within it, and the trench then backfilled
  • D. A method in which prefabricated tunnel segments are floated into position and sunk into a dredged trench on the seabed

Q6. With reference to Japan's assistance to the MAHSR project, consider the following: 1. The project uses Japan's Shinkansen (E5-series) high-speed rail technology. 2. JICA finances about 81% of the project cost through ODA loans. 3. The entire project cost is provided by JICA as a non-repayable grant. 4. JICA is the overseas development-cooperation agency of the Government of Japan. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The project uses Japan's Shinkansen (E5-series) high-speed rail technology.
  2. JICA finances about 81% of the project cost through ODA loans.
  3. The entire project cost is provided by JICA as a non-repayable grant.
  4. JICA is the overseas development-cooperation agency of the Government of Japan.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q7. The ODA loan of about ₹22,627 crore signed in December 2023 for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project was extended by JICA as which numbered tranche?

  • A. Third tranche
  • B. Fourth tranche
  • C. Fifth tranche
  • D. Seventh tranche

Q8. Which one of the following was the first mountain tunnel of the MAHSR project to achieve breakthrough in the State of Maharashtra?

  • A. MT-05, near Saphale in Palghar district
  • B. MT-06, in Palghar district
  • C. MT-07, at Ambesari in Dahanu taluka
  • D. MT-08, in Valsad district

Q9. Comparing two tunnelling milestones of the MAHSR project, consider the following statements: 1. The first breakthrough of the 21 km BKC–Shilphata tunnel (July 2025) occurred before the first mountain tunnel (MT-5) breakthrough in Palghar (January 2026). 2. Unlike MT-5, which was excavated by drill-and-blast (NATM), the 21 km BKC–Shilphata tunnel is being built partly with Tunnel Boring Machines and includes an undersea section. 3. The 21 km BKC–Shilphata tunnel lies in Gujarat, whereas MT-5 lies in Maharashtra. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The first breakthrough of the 21 km BKC–Shilphata tunnel (July 2025) occurred before the first mountain tunnel (MT-5) breakthrough in Palghar (January 2026).
  2. Unlike MT-5, which was excavated by drill-and-blast (NATM), the 21 km BKC–Shilphata tunnel is being built partly with Tunnel Boring Machines and includes an undersea section.
  3. The 21 km BKC–Shilphata tunnel lies in Gujarat, whereas MT-5 lies in Maharashtra.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. Palghar, the district in which the MT-5 tunnel is located, was constituted in 2014 as the newest (36th) district of Maharashtra by carving it out of which one of the following districts?

  • A. Raigad district
  • B. Nashik district
  • C. Thane district
  • D. Mumbai Suburban district

Q11. The 'Diamond Quadrilateral' network of high-speed trains connecting India's major metros was first announced by the Government in which year?

  • A. 2010
  • B. 2014
  • C. 2016
  • D. 2019