Track laying work for Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train starts in Surat
Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor has commenced in Surat. What makes this project particularly noteworthy is the use of the Japanese Shinkansen-inspired J-slab ballastless track system on Indian soil for the very first time.
As per a TOI report, the track system itself consists of a pre-cast track slab upon which fastening devices and rails are securely affixed. This slab is supported by a reinforced concrete (RC) track bed, boasting a substantial thickness of approximately 300mm.
Notably, these beds are meticulously constructed in-situ, tailored for the individual up and down track lines situated on the viaduct's pinnacle. The width of these RC track beds measures 2420mm.
To ensure the stability of the track slab, RC anchors are strategically integrated, mitigating any potential longitudinal and lateral disturbances. These RC anchors sport a 520mm diameter and stand at a height of 260mm.
They are systematically placed at intervals of roughly 5 meters from one another. The installation of a reference pin within these reinforced concrete anchors ensures precise alignment—both horizontally and vertically, thus enabling safe train operations at speeds of up to 320 kmph.
Significant progress has already been made in Gujarat, where contracts for the entire track work have been awarded. Currently, the procurement of materials for the track work is in an advanced stage.
