New Delhi [India]: The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has successfully launched a steel bridge over four railway tracks—two of Western Railways and two Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) tracks—between Kim and Sayan for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project.
Bridge Details
- The bridge consists of two spans: 100 meters and 60 meters, supporting a double-line Standard Gauge rail track.
- The 100m span, weighing 1,432 metric tonnes, was launched over Western Railways & DFC tracks between January 28 and February 5, 2025.
- The 60m span will be placed over an irrigation canal adjacent to the tracks.
To launch the 100m-long steel bridge, a 525-metric-tonne launching nose was used, extending 84 meters to aid in the placement. The bridge, 14.3m wide, was fabricated at an RDSO-approved workshop in Bhuj, Gujarat, transported to the site, and assembled at a height of 14.5m before being pulled into place using semi-automatic jacks.
The assembly of the 100m span required 60,000 Tor-Shear Type High Strength (TTHS) bolts, designed for a 100-year lifespan. The bridge spans were painted with C5 system painting and will rest on elastomeric bearings for durability and flexibility.
Traffic and Safety Measures
The bridge launch required intermittent traffic blocks on Western Railway and DFC tracks to ensure safety and precision. The process was carried out in phases to minimize disruptions to regular train and freight services.
“Make in India” Initiative & Japanese Expertise
The project is being executed with high safety and engineering standards, incorporating Japanese high-speed rail technology while leveraging India’s own technical and material resources under the “Make in India” initiative.
Sixth Steel Bridge Launched in Gujarat
This marks the sixth steel bridge out of 17 planned in Gujarat for the Bullet Train project. Previously completed steel bridges include:
- 70m bridge (Surat)
- 100m bridge (Anand)
- 230m bridge (100m + 130m) (Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway)
- 100m bridge (Silvassa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli)
- 60m bridge (Vadodara)
The successful launch of this bridge represents a significant milestone in India’s first high-speed rail corridor, paving the way for faster and more efficient travel between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.