New Delhi, Jan 30: In a major achievement for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project, Indian Railways has successfully completed its 13th steel bridge in Gujarat, a 100-meter structure built over an underground metro tunnel.
This bridge is part of a total of 17 planned bridges, aiming to enhance high-speed rail connectivity while ensuring the safety of urban transport systems. The construction of the Bullet Train viaduct utilizes span-by-span structures, with spans between 30 to 50 meters.
However, due to the alignment over the metro tunnel, the span was extended to 100 meters, necessitating a redesign from a span-by-span viaduct to a Steel Truss Bridge to maintain structural safety for both the Bullet Train corridor and the metro infrastructure.
The assembly of the 1,098 metric ton bridge took place at a height of 16.5 meters using temporary trestles, followed by precise lowering onto permanent supports.
The bridge, measuring 14 meters high and 15.5 meters wide, was manufactured in Wardha, Maharashtra, and transported to the site, highlighting the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The structure features approximately 45,186 high-strength bolts and is coated with a C5 system protective painting for enhanced durability and passenger safety.
This milestone reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to developing safe, reliable, and modern infrastructure while integrating high-speed projects into existing urban transport frameworks.
