Construction of 12 major bridges completed on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Corridor

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant milestone for India’s ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, all nine river bridges between Vapi and Surat stations have now been completed. The final bridge, located over the Kharera River in Navsari district, Gujarat, was finished on October 29, 2024. This marks the completion of a major phase of the project, which will eventually connect India’s financial capital, Mumbai, to the industrial hub of Ahmedabad with a high-speed bullet train service.

Completion of Key Infrastructure Milestone

The completion of the Kharera River bridge brings the total number of river bridges completed on the stretch between Vapi and Surat to nine. The bridge itself is a critical component of the railway corridor, which is expected to revolutionize travel between the two major cities in Gujarat.

The Kharera River bridge spans a length of 120 meters and features three full-span girders, each 40 meters in length. The structure is supported by five circular piers, with one of them measuring 4 meters in diameter, and the remaining three piers having a diameter of 5 meters each. The height of the piers varies between 14.5 meters and 19 meters, ensuring that the bridge is built to withstand both high-speed trains and challenging environmental conditions.

The Kharera River itself is one of the tributaries of the Ambika River, originating in the hilly region of Vansda taluka near Gujarat’s border with Maharashtra. Situated approximately 45 kilometers from the Vapi Bullet Train station and about 6 kilometers from Bilimora station, this bridge plays a crucial role in connecting the two cities via the new bullet train corridor.

Significant Progress on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Corridor

The completion of the Kharera River bridge is part of a broader effort to finish the required infrastructure for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, which will cut travel time between the two cities from over 7 hours to just 2 hours. The project, spearheaded by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL), has made substantial progress despite logistical challenges, including the construction of more than 20 river bridges across Gujarat.

Out of the 20 river bridges planned for Gujarat along the corridor, 12 have now been completed. This includes the nine river bridges between Vapi and Surat, as well as bridges over other major rivers, including the Dhadhar, Mohar, and Vatrak rivers in central Gujarat. These infrastructural feats are paving the way for the project to meet its timelines, with an expected operational launch of the bullet train in the near future.

Completed River Bridges in Gujarat

Here is a list of the 12 completed river bridges in Gujarat along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Corridor:

Between Vapi and Surat stations:

1. Kharera River (Navsari district)
2. Par River (Valsad district)
3. Purna River (Navsari district)
4. Mindhola River (Navsari district)
5. Ambika River (Navsari district)
6. Auranga River (Valsad district)
7. Kolak River (Valsad district)
8. Kaveri River (Navsari district)
9. Venganiya River (Navsari district)

Other completed river bridges:

1. Dhadhar River (Vadodara district)
2. Mohar River (Kheda district)
3. Vatrak River (Kheda district)

These completed bridges represent a crucial part of the infrastructure needed for the high-speed rail line, which will span over 500 kilometers and include numerous tunnels, viaducts, and elevated sections, all designed to accommodate trains traveling at speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour.

Significance of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project is one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure undertakings. Once operational, it will provide an efficient and fast mode of transportation between two of the country’s most important cities, stimulating economic growth, reducing traffic congestion, and contributing to sustainability by promoting the use of rail over road and air travel.

The completion of these river bridges marks a key step forward in the realization of the high-speed rail corridor, which is expected to not only transform travel but also boost regional development, particularly in Gujarat. The project is also seen as a model for future high-speed rail corridors across India.

As construction on the corridor continues, attention will now turn to the development of stations, tracks, and other critical infrastructure required for the full operation of the bullet train service. The completion of all river bridges between Vapi and Surat is a testament to the progress being made on this transformative project, with more milestones expected in the coming months.

The completion of all nine river bridges between Vapi and Surat is a significant achievement in the construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor. As the project advances, these bridges will serve as the backbone of the high-speed rail infrastructure, ensuring a safe and efficient connection between the two cities. With 12 river bridges now completed in Gujarat, the ambitious bullet train project continues to move forward, promising to revolutionize travel in one of India’s busiest corridors.