Synopsis
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project has made significant progress with the completion of a 100-metre bridge in Surat, Gujarat. This crucial infrastructure connects major railway lines and enhances the high-speed rail network in India.Key Takeaways
- 100-metre-long steel bridge completed.
- Bridge spans four railway tracks.
- Utilizes Japanese technical expertise.
- Part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train initiative.
- Sixth bridge out of 17 planned in Gujarat.
Gandhinagar, Feb 5 (NationPress) A 100-metre-long steel bridge has been successfully erected in Surat, Gujarat, as part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train initiative.
Executed by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), this bridge crosses four railway tracks, including two from the Western Railway and two from the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL) between Kim and Sayan.
The structure features two spans of 100 meters and 60 meters, crafted to support a double-track standard gauge rail system. The 100-meter span, with a weight of 1,432 metric tonnes, was launched between January 28 and February 5, over the Western Railway and DFCCIL tracks.
On the other hand, the 60-metre span will be positioned above a nearby irrigation canal at the construction site. This vital infrastructure project necessitated crossing four major railway tracks and an irrigation canal to create an uninterrupted pathway for the forthcoming high-speed rail network.
To install the 100-metre-long steel bridge, an 84-metre-long launching nose, weighing 525 metric tons, was used. The 14.3-metre-wide bridge was assembled at an RDSO-approved workshop in Bhuj, Gujarat, and transported via road to the installation location. The assembly was carried out at a height of 14.5 metres above ground using a temporary structure at the Ahmedabad end.
The bridge was precisely positioned using 50mm diameter Mac-Loy bars with the help of two semi-automatic jacks, each capable of 250 tons. The pier height at the site is 12 meters, and the structure was reinforced with around 60,000 Tor-Shear Type High Strength (TTHS) bolts designed for a lifespan of 100 years.
Moreover, the bridge has been coated with a C5 system and will rest on elastomeric bearings for improved durability. To ensure safety and accuracy during the launch, temporary traffic blocks were implemented on both the Western Railway and DFCCIL tracks.
These blocks were strategically scheduled to minimize the disruption of regular train and freight operations while facilitating the bridge's smooth installation. With Japanese technical expertise, the Bullet Train project is increasingly leveraging India’s domestic resources for high-speed rail construction.
The Surat bridge is the sixth steel bridge completed in the Gujarat section of the Bullet Train corridor, out of a total of 17 planned steel bridges. The other five completed bridges include a 70-metre bridge in Surat, a 100-metre bridge in Anand, a 230-metre bridge in Vadodara (Mumbai Expressway), a 100-metre bridge in Silvassa (Dadra and Nagar Haveli), and a 60-metre bridge in Vadodara.
