GUJARAT (Metro Rail News): A 100-meter steel bridge has been successfully installed for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor over the Vadodara-Ahmedabad main line near Nadiad in Gujarat. This development marks a remarkable leap in the High-Speed Rail project, leveraging Japanese expertise and India’s robust ‘Make-in-India’ initiative.
This marks the completion of the second out of the 28 steel bridges for the corridor. The first steel bridge was constructed across National Highway 53 in Surat, Gujarat.
The bridge, weighing a massive 1486 metric tonnes (MT), was assembled in a workshop located in Bhuj district, Gujarat—approximately 310 km from the installation site. It features a 63-meter launching nose that weighs around 430 MT, designed to ease the installation process over busy railway tracks.
Installation Process for the High-Speed Rail Project
The installation was carried out precisely, requiring a complete traffic and power block on the existing railway lines to ensure safety and accuracy. The bridge was elevated to a height of 15.5 meters using temporary trestles and pulled into place using an automated system comprising two 180 MT capacity jacks.
Quality and Safety Measures
Every steel batch used in the bridge was subjected to rigorous Ultrasonic Testing (UT) at the manufacturer’s premises to ensure structural integrity. The bridge’s construction involved sophisticated procedures, including cutting, drilling, welding, and a unique five-layered painting process compliant with Japan’s C-5 Painting system standards.
This project introduces several firsts in Indian railway construction, such as the use of Tor Shear Type High Strength Bolts (TTHSB) for joining steel members, a technique used for the first time in Indian railway projects. The comprehensive approach ensures a combination of durability and safety, essential for the high-speed demands of the bullet train corridor.
Future Prospects
This steel bridge is the second of the 28 planned for the corridor, highlighting the increasing reliance on steel structures capable of supporting high-speed train operations. India’s capability in steel bridge assembling is set to enhance the construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor, which will operate at speeds of up to 320 kmph.
With approximately 70,000 MT of specified steel allocated for these bridges, India is set to redefine its transportation architecture and bolster its global position in high-speed rail technology.
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