The ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, spearheaded by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of 100 kilometers of viaducts and 230 kilometers of pier work. This development marks a substantial leap forward in the construction progress of the project.
Utilizing innovative techniques such as the ‘Full Span Launching Method’ (FSLM), where 40-meter long box girders are deployed using cutting-edge equipment, the project has seen accelerated progress in its viaduct construction. This approach, ten times faster than traditional span-by-span methods used in metro viaducts, enabled the rapid completion of 100 kilometers of viaducts within a short span of six months.
The viaducts encompass bridges spanning across six rivers in Gujarat, including the Par and Auranga in Valsad, and the Purna, Mindhola, Ambika, and Venganiya rivers in Navsari district. Additionally, the commencement of noise barrier installation on the constructed viaducts has been initiated, furthering the project’s advancement.
Moreover, significant developments such as the laying of the first Reinforced Concrete (RC) track bed resembling the Japanese Shinkansen system have commenced in Surat. This marks the introduction of the J-slab ballastless track system in India, a pioneering move in the country’s rail infrastructure.
The project also witnessed the completion of the first 350-meter mountain tunnel in Valsad and the erection of the first 70-meter-long steel bridge in Surat, the initial structure among the planned 28 steel bridges for the corridor.
Initiated in September 2017 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his then-Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor is a monumental endeavor estimated at a cost of ₹1.08 lakh crore. The project’s funding comprises ₹10,000 crore from the central government and ₹5,000 crore each from Gujarat and Maharashtra, with the remaining financed through a loan at a minimal interest rate of 0.1 percent from Japan.
This progress highlights the project’s commitment to revolutionizing transportation in the region, promising a future of high-speed connectivity and advanced infrastructure, marking a significant step towards realizing India’s ambitious high-speed rail aspirations.
Sources By Agencies
