The National High-Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) has announced that more than 35,000 metric tons (MT) of rails and four sets of specialized construction machinery have been obtained for the ambitious Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project. Currently, the welding of rails is underway to build 200-metre-long panels which have been carried over on a viaduct near Anand and Surat in Gujarat.
Installation of Japan’s Shinkansen track system in India
For the first time in India, an advanced system which is inspired by the famous Shinkansen technology will be used. The J-slab track system will be laid out on the 508-kilometre-long high-speed rail corridor between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The process of installing the track is highly mechanized, specially designed, and has been built as per Japanese specifications.
Utilization of advanced machinery and organizing training for Indian engineers
For the construction work, NHSRCL has received several advanced machines like vehicles for track slab laying, CAM-laying cars, flash-butt welding machines, and rail feeder cars. A special training and certification course with a focus on Shinkansen track construction techniques has been imparted to Indian engineers, technicians, and work leaders for the successful implementation of these machines. The rail welding process is currently going on and three flash-butt welding machines have been acquired.
Moreover, the project utilizes precast track slabs that are raised over the viaduct and are moved with the help of specially designed wagons. Four TSLCs (track slab laying cars) are currently being used in the positioning of the slabs on the track. A temporary track will be laid up initially and the rails are carried over to the track beds through special wagons and rail feeder cars.
(With inputs from PTI)