Mumbai: A major milestone was achieved in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project with the launch of a 70-meter-long steel bridge over the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) tracks near Vadodara, Gujarat. The bridge, a product of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, marks the seventh steel bridge completed in Gujarat as part of the high-speed rail corridor.
Constructed using over 674 metric tons of steel, the bridge stands 13 meters high and spans 14 meters in width. It was fabricated at a specialized workshop in Durgapur, Kolkata, and transported to the site using high-capacity trailers. The launch was executed with the help of a 49-meter-long launching nose weighing around 204 metric tons.
According to the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), the installation of this bridge brings the total number of steel bridges completed for the project to seven, out of the 28 planned along the corridor. These bridges have collectively utilized more than 10,000 metric tons of steel, providing a significant boost to domestic steel manufacturing and supporting the government's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.
The bridge was assembled on temporary trestles at a height of 18 meters above the ground. The launch involved the use of 28,800 Tor-Shear Type High Strength (TTHS) bolts and incorporated C5 system painting and elastomeric bearings, all designed for a lifespan of 100 years. The structure was pulled into position using an automated system comprising two semi-automatic jacks with a capacity of 250 tons each, operated via mac-alloy bars.
The entire launching process was completed within 12 hours and involved intermittent traffic blocks on the DFC tracks to ensure safety and precision. The blocks were strategically scheduled to minimize disruption to freight services along the vital corridor.
Details of Completed Steel Bridges
Across National Highway 53, Surat, 70 meter long, weight 673 MT
Over Vadodara-Ahmedabad main line of Indian Railways, near Nadiad, 100 meter long, weight 1486 MT
Over Delhi-Mumbai National Expressway, near Vadodara, 230 (130+100) meter long , weight 4397 MT.
Near Silvassa in Dadra & Nagar Haveli, 100 meter long, weight 1464 MT.
Over Vadodara Western Railways, 60 meter long , weight 645 MT.
Over two DFCC Tracks and two Western Railways tracks, Surat, 100+60 meter long, weight 1432 MT.
Over two DFCC tracks, near Vadodara, 70 meter long , weight 674 MT.
