NHSRCL Completes 100 Kilometres of Viaducts and 230 Kilometres of Pier Work for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Corridor

The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has completed 100 kilometres of viaducts and 230 kilometres of pier work for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor. This is a significant milestone in the construction of the ambitious project.

The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), responsible for constructing the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, announced a significant milestone in the project's progress. The organization has completed 100 kilometers of viaducts and 230 kilometers of pier work, marking a major achievement in the ambitious endeavor.

Construction Milestones

The 100 km viaduct construction milestone was achieved through the launching of 40-meter-long full span box girders and segmental girders. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took to X, formerly Twitter, to share a video highlighting this remarkable feat.

The viaducts include bridges over six Gujarat rivers: Par and Auranga in Valsad district, and Purna, Mindhola, Ambika, and Venganiya in Navsari district. The project's first girder was launched on November 25, 2021, and within six months, on June 30, 2022, the first kilometer of viaduct was completed. The construction of 50 kilometers of viaduct was achieved on April 22, 2023, and in the subsequent six months, the NHSRCL accomplished the 100-kilometer viaduct milestone.

Construction Techniques

The Full Span Launching technique (FSLM), which involves launching 40-meter-long box girders using state-of-the-art equipment, is being employed along with span-by-span launching of segments. FSLM is significantly faster, about 10 times quicker than the span-by-span method commonly used in metro viaduct construction.

Additional Progress

In addition to the viaduct work, the NHSRCL has completed 250 kilometers of pier work, and the installation of noise barriers has commenced along the constructed viaduct. Furthermore, the laying of the first reinforced concrete (RC) track bed for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor track system, similar to the one used in the Japanese Shinkansen, has begun in Surat.

Project Cost and Funding

The total cost of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor project is estimated at Rs 1.08 lakh crore. As per the shareholding pattern, the Union government will contribute Rs 10,000 crore to the NHSRCL, while the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra will each contribute Rs 5,000 crore. The remaining cost will be covered through a loan from Japan at a concessional interest rate of 0.1 percent.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is a testament to India's commitment to advancing its infrastructure and transforming transportation. With the completion of 100 kilometers of viaducts and 230 kilometers of pier work, the project is progressing steadily towards its goal. The use of innovative construction techniques, such as FSLM, showcases India's engineering prowess and dedication to delivering world-class infrastructure.