A 200m-long, ‘Make in India’ steel bridge for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train is set to be launched over NH-48 near Nadiad. Weighing 1500 MT per span, it features high-strength bolted joints and innovative C-5 painting. Part of the 28 planned steel bridges, this marks a milestone in India’s HSR infrastructure.
Structural and Design Highlights:
- The bridge comprises two 100-meter spans and will be installed over National Highway 48, a key route connecting Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, near Nadiad.
- Fabricated at the Salasar workshop in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, each span is 14.3 meters wide, 14.6 meters in height, and weighs 1500 metric tonnes (MT).
- It utilizes Tor Shear Type High Strength Bolts (TTHSB), ensuring durability and a lifespan of 100 years.
The steel spans are coated with C-5 system painting, a first-of-its-kind in India, providing superior protection against corrosion.
Significance of Steel Bridges in HSR:
- Steel bridges are preferred over highways, expressways, and railway crossings due to their ability to span longer distances, unlike pre-stressed concrete bridges that typically extend 40 to 45 meters.
- India has a rich history in fabricating steel bridges for heavy-haul and semi-high-speed trains running at 100-160 kmph. This expertise is now being extended to the MAHSR corridor, which will operate at a staggering speed of 320 kmph.
Steel Bridge Implementation in the MAHSR Project:
- A total of 28 steel bridges are planned along the corridor, with 11 in Maharashtra and 17 in Gujarat.
- So far, six steel bridges have been successfully launched in Gujarat over railway and DFC tracks, highways, and Bhilosa Industry.
- One span of this new steel bridge is scheduled for launch in March 2025, with full completion targeted by August 2025.
Conclusion:
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project is pushing India’s engineering capabilities to new heights. With 28 steel bridges planned, including this 200m marvel, the project demonstrates India’s growing expertise in high-speed rail infrastructure. This initiative is a major step in realizing India’s ambition of a world-class bullet train network.
Source: NHSRCL – Press Release | Images Credit: NHSRCL
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