The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project has started flash butt welding of rails in Gujarat, forming 200-meter panels on the viaduct. With over 35,000 MT of rails and advanced track construction machinery on-site, the project employs Japan’s J-slab ballastless track system, marking its first use in India.
Track Construction Base and Welding Process:
- The track construction work is advancing in Gujarat with the establishment of Track Construction Bases (TCB) near Surat and Anand.
- Flash butt welding of 25 m long, 60 kg JIS rails has commenced, forming 200 m long panels on the viaduct.
- Three Flash Butt Welding Machines (FBWM) have been procured for this purpose, with training on rail weld finishing and testing completed by JARTS.
Materials and Machinery:
- Over 35,000 MT of rails have been received for the project.
- Four sets of specialized track construction machinery, including rail feeder cars, track slab laying cars, CAM laying cars, and flash butt welding machines, are deployed.
Innovative Track System:
- The project introduces the J-slab ballastless track system, a feature of the Japanese Shinkansen, being used in India for the first time.
- All track installation processes are fully mechanized, utilizing cutting-edge machinery tailored to Japanese specifications.
Training and Expertise:
- Extensive training and certification courses are organized for Indian engineers, work leaders, and technicians to understand the Shinkansen track construction methodology.
- Japanese experts from JARTS provide these training sessions, ensuring knowledge transfer and skill enhancement.
Detailed Overview of Machinery:
- Track Slab Laying Car (TSLC): Lifts precast slabs onto the viaduct and lays them on the RC track bed. Four TSLCs are currently in use.
- Rail Feeder Car (RFC): Transports and spreads 200 m rail panels over the RC track bed, facilitating initial track laying.
- Cement Asphalt Mortar Injection Car (CAM Car): Injects CAM mix under track slabs to align them accurately on the RC bed, with three CAM cars procured to date.
Conclusion:
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project marks a significant milestone with the initiation of flash butt welding of rails in Gujarat. The project incorporates advanced machinery and the J-slab ballastless track system, setting new standards in Indian railway infrastructure with extensive training from Japanese experts, ensuring precise and efficient track installation.
Source: NHSRCL- Press Release | Images Credit: NHSRCL
