| Work Detail |
The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has achieved a significant milestone by successfully erecting the first steel bridge, spanning an impressive 70 meters in length, over National Highway 53 in Surat. This marks the inaugural phase in the construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor (MAHSRC).
The MAHSRC project envisions a total of 28 steel bridges, requiring approximately 70,000 metric tons of specified steel. These steel bridges will vary in span length, ranging from 60 meters in simply supported structures to an impressive 230 meters (130 + 100 meters) of continuous span.
Satyaprakash Mittal, Chief Project Manager of MAHSRC, highlighted the significance of this bridge construction, noting that it underscores Indias growing technical and material capabilities. The fabrication of these steel bridges aligns with the Make-in-India vision, combining Japanese expertise with local resources. This venture showcases Indias capacity to construct steel bridges capable of supporting Shinkansen Bullet trains, which can reach speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour.
Mittal further elaborated on the assembly process, which involved meticulous planning and precision. The steel structures, comprising nearly 700 pieces and totaling 673 metric tonnes, were transported over 1200 kilometers from the Hapur district near Delhi to the installation site. At the workshop, the steel structure was prepared and then transported on trailers to the installation site.
"At the site, the Steel Bridge, measuring 12 to 14 meters in height, was assembled on the staging above 10- to 12-meter-high piers. Subsequently, the launching nose, weighing approximately 200 metric tons, was assembled with the main bridge assembly. With utmost care and expertise, the Bridge Assembly was moved to its intended span through a specially designed pulling arrangement, all while ensuring a complete traffic block on National Highway," Mittal explained.
It is noteworthy that each production batch of steel underwent Ultrasonic Testing (UT) at the manufacturers premises. The fabrication process encompassed cutting, drilling, welding, and a five-layered painting technique adhering to the Japan Road Associations "Handbook for Corrosion Protection of Steel Road Bridges."
This achievement establishes a remarkable precedent in Indias high-speed rail corridor construction, ushering the nation into a new era of cutting-edge infrastructure development.The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) was established on February 12, 2016, under the Companies Act, 2013, with the objective of financing, constructing, maintaining, and managing high-speed rail corridors in India. The company operates as a Special Purpose Vehicle in the joint sector, with equity participation from the Central Government through the Ministry of Railways and the State Governments of Gujarat and Maharashtra. |
