The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project has reached a significant milestone with the successful installation of a 100-meter-long steel bridge over the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) tracks near Bharuch, Gujarat. This development marks the completion of eight out of the 17 planned steel bridges in the Gujarat section of the high-speed rail corridor, bringing the project closer to its goal of enhancing connectivity between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
The newly launched bridge, weighing approximately 1,400 metric tonnes, stands 14.6 meters tall and spans 14.3 meters in width. Fabricated at a workshop in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, the bridge was transported to the site using specially designed trailers. An 84-meter-long launching nose, weighing about 600 metric tonnes, was employed to position the bridge over the DFC tracks. The installation process involved assembling the structure 18 meters above ground level on temporary trestles and utilizing two semi-automatic jacks, each with a capacity of 250 tonnes, to pull the bridge into place. To ensure durability and longevity, the bridge was assembled using approximately 55,300 high-strength Tor-Shear Type bolts and coated with C5-grade protective paint. Elastomeric bearings were also installed to accommodate structural movements, and the design is intended to support a lifespan of 100 years.
The installation of the bridge was executed with careful planning to minimize disruption to existing freight services. The launch was carried out during scheduled traffic blocks on the DFC tracks, ensuring that freight movement was temporarily halted in phases to allow for the safe and precise positioning of the bridge. This approach underscores the project’s commitment to balancing infrastructure development with the operational needs of existing rail services. With the completion of this bridge, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project has now seen the successful installation of eight steel bridges in Gujarat.
Notable among these is a 230-meter-long structure spanning the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Vadodara, which, at 4,397 metric tonnes, is the heaviest bridge completed to date. Other completed bridges are located in Surat, Vadodara, Nadiad, and Silvassa, contributing to the steady progress of the high-speed rail corridor. The completion of these steel bridges is a critical component of the broader infrastructure development for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project. The successful execution of these installations demonstrates the project’s capacity to meet engineering challenges and adhere to timelines. As the project progresses, the focus will shift towards the installation of additional bridges, track laying, and the development of station facilities, all aimed at achieving the goal of reducing travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to under three hours.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project not only represents a leap forward in India’s transportation infrastructure but also aligns with the nation’s commitment to sustainable and efficient mobility solutions. The integration of advanced engineering techniques and materials, coupled with strategic planning to minimize disruptions, reflects a holistic approach to modernizing India’s rail network. As the project continues to advance, stakeholders remain optimistic about its potential to transform regional connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and set a benchmark for future high-speed rail initiatives across the country.
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