10th Steel Bridge launched on Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Corridor in Ahmedabad

MRT Online Desk Posted on: 2025-10-10 17:30:00 Viewer: 1,273 Comments: 0 Country: India City: New Delhi

Ahmedabad, India (Metro Rail Today): In a remarkable engineering feat, the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has successfully launched the 10th steel bridge for India’s first bullet train project — the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.

The 60-meter-long steel bridge was installed over a Western Railway facility (laundry) located near the tracks in Ahmedabad district. This marks the first-ever steel bridge launched in Ahmedabad for the project and was completed with exceptional precision in just seven hours, following months of meticulous planning and preparation.

Engineering Precision and Technique

The bridge, weighing 485 metric tons, was assembled 16.5 meters above ground on temporary trestles before being side-slewed transversely into its final position. The operation used two semi-automatic 200-ton jacks supported by locking trolleys for structural stability.

Fabricated at a specialized facility in Wardha (Nagpur, Maharashtra), the bridge was transported to Ahmedabad using custom-designed heavy-duty trailers. Measuring 12 meters in height and 11.4 meters in width, the structure features 20,360 Tor-Shear Type High Strength (TTHS) bolts, C5 system protective paint coating, and elastomeric bearings to enhance durability and vibration control.

A 35x60-meter temporary assembly platform was constructed for pre-launch preparation, with 14 skid arrangements used—four dedicated to transverse movement. Temporary brackets were also installed to strengthen the track beam during the sliding process.

Strategic Importance and Corridor Overview

The Ahmedabad section of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train viaduct will traverse 31 crossings, including railway lines, flyovers, canals, a major river bridge over the Sabarmati, and six steel bridges in total.

Across the entire 508-km corridor, 28 steel bridges are planned—17 in Gujarat and 11 in Maharashtra—underscoring the project’s massive scale and technical complexity.

List of Completed Steel Bridges (as of October 2025)

S.No.	Location	Length (m)	Weight (MT)
1	Across NH-53, Surat, Gujarat	70	673
2	Over Vadodara–Ahmedabad main line, Nadiad, Gujarat	100	1,486
3	Over Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, near Vadodara	230 (130+100)	4,397
4	Near Silvassa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli	100	1,464
5	Over Western Railways, Vadodara	60	645
6	Over DFCC & Western Railway tracks, Surat	100, 60	2,040
7	Over DFCC tracks, near Vadodara	70	674
8	Over DFCC tracks, near Bharuch	100	1,400
9	Over NH-48, near Nadiad	2 x 100	2,884
10	Over Railway Facility (Laundry), Ahmedabad	60	485

Project Background

The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, being executed with technical and financial assistance from the Government of Japan, is India’s first bullet train initiative. Once operational, it will connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad via 12 stations, covering 508 km in under three hours.

The total project cost is estimated at ₹1.08 lakh crore, with 81% funding from JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). As of June 2025, over ₹78,800 crore has been invested, with significant civil progress — including 323 km of viaducts and 399 km of pier work completed.

A Symbol of India’s Engineering Progress

The successful launch of the 10th steel bridge marks another major stride toward India’s first bullet train becoming a reality. It showcases the technical expertise and meticulous planning of NHSRCL engineers and contractors working under challenging site conditions.

As the nation prepares for the first bullet train operations between Surat and Bilimora in 2027, achievements like these continue to highlight India’s growing prowess in high-speed rail infrastructure.