Electrification work begins on Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor

New Delhi [India], January 16 (ANI): The electrification work for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor has begun, with the first two steel masts erected on the viaduct at a height of 14m from the ground level in between Surat- Bilimora Bullet Train Stations in Gujarat.
As per the official statement of National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd., in total, over 20,000 masts, ranging from 9.5 to 14.5 meters in height, will be installed along the corridor. These masts will support the Overhead Equipment (OHE) system, including overhead wires, earthing systems, fittings, and associated accessories, forming the complete 2x25 kV overhead traction system for the MAHSR corridor suitable to run the Bullet train.
Promoting the 'Make in India' policy, these OHE masts conforming to Japanese standard design and specifications are manufactured in India and would support the overhead traction system for high-speed trains.
On January 13, the construction of a 210-meter-long pre-stressed concrete (PSC) bridge, part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project, was completed over National Highway-48 at Dabhan village near Nadiad in Kheda district of Gujarat.
Completed on January 9, 2025, this bridge is situated between the Anand and Ahmedabad bullet train stations. The bridge has been constructed using the Balanced Cantilever Method, which is used for larger spans, according to National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd.
It comprises 72 precast segments and features four spans with configurations of 40 meters + 65 meters + 65 meters + 40 meters.
Several advancements have been achieved in various components of the high-speed rail project. A total of 253 kilometre of viaduct work has been completed, along with 290 kilometre of girder casting and 358 kilometre of pier construction.
Bridges over 13 rivers and five steel bridges have been completed.
Noise barriers have been installed over approximately 112 kilometre and track construction has commenced at multiple locations in Gujarat.
A 21-kilometer tunnel between Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Thane in Maharashtra is currently under construction.
In Palghar district, Maharashtra, seven mountain tunnels are being developed using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM). One mountain tunnel has been completed in Valsad district, Gujarat.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project passes through high growth rate states of Gujarat and Maharashtra connecting business centres of Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara and Ahmedabad. The project Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) as per feasibility study conducted by JICA was estimated to be 11.8 per cent. (ANI)