First steel bridge for Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train launched in Maharashtra
NHSRCL has launched the first steel bridge for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project in Maharashtra, a 100-metre span over NH-3 in Bhiwandi.
The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has launched the first steel bridge for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project in Maharashtra. The 100-metre-long structure, weighing about 1,405 tonnes, was put in place over NH-3 (Nashik Highway) at Dive-Anjur village in Bhiwandi, Thane district.
The bridge stands 14 metres high and 14 metres wide. It is the first steel bridge to be completed for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor in Maharashtra, and its launch marks a step forward in the project's civil works in the state.
Fabricated in Tamil Nadu
A notable feature of the bridge is its supply chain. The structure was fabricated at a workshop in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, roughly 1,300 km from the installation site. The finished components were moved to Maharashtra by trailers and assembled at the site.
Fabrication involved precision cutting, drilling, welding and painting in line with approved designs and specifications. Every batch of steel used in production was subjected to Ultrasonic Testing, and the welders and supervisors engaged in the work were certified by international welding experts.
Assembly and launch
At the site, the span was assembled on temporary trestles at a height of about 17.5 metres above the ground. The assembly used 22 skid arrangements and 54,076 Tor-Shear Type High Strength Bolts (TTHSB).
A C5 protective painting system and elastomeric bearings were provided to improve durability and help control vibrations. Once assembled, the structure was shifted into its final position using an automatic mechanism comprising two hollow jacks, each with a capacity of 150 tonnes, along with pre-tensioned Macalloy Bars.
Because the bridge crosses the Nashik Highway, the launching operation was carried out during night traffic blocks, limiting disruption for highway users while the heavy steel structure was moved into place.
Steel bridges on the corridor
A total of 28 steel bridges are planned along the bullet train corridor, of which 16 have been completed. Such bridges are used where the alignment crosses highways, expressways, major rivers and railway lines, particularly at locations requiring longer spans.