In a groundbreaking move, the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), overseeing India’s Bullet Train project, is set to enhance passenger safety with the installation of 28 cutting-edge Seismometers. This marks a significant stride as it becomes the first initiative of its kind in the country, deploying an ‘Early Earthquake Detection System’ along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor (MAHSR).
Image Credit: NHSRCL
More Details:
NHSRCL will install Twenty-eight (28) seismometers for the Bullet Train project (Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor) to ensure the safety of passengers and critical infrastructure during earthquakes.
Out of the 28 seismometers, 22 will be installed along the alignment. Eight will be in Maharashtra—Mumbai, Thane, Virar, and Boisar—and fourteen will be in Gujarat—Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Mahemdabad, and Ahmedabad. Seismometers will be installed in Traction Substations and Switching Posts along the alignment.
Image Credit (representational): NHSRCL
The remaining six seismometers (termed as inland seismometers) will be installed in earthquake-prone areas—Khed, Ratnagiri, Latur, and Pangri in Maharashtra, and Adesar and Old Bhuj in Gujarat.
The areas near the MAHSR alignment, where earthquakes greater than 5.5 magnitudes have occurred in the past 100 years, were surveyed by Japanese experts. After a detailed survey and soil suitability study through a micro tremor test, the above sites were selected.
Brief About Early Earthquake Detection System:
- This Early Earthquake Detection System, based on Japanese Shinkansen technology,
- It will detect earthquake-induced tremors through primary waves and enable an automatic power shutdown.
- Emergency brakes will be activated when the power shutdown is detected and the trains running in the affected area shall stop.
NHSRCL’s commitment to adopting state-of-the-art safety measures, influenced by global best practices, reflects a resolute dedication to passenger security. As India’s high-speed rail ambitions accelerate, the integration of this groundbreaking Early Earthquake Detection System stands as a testament to the meticulous planning and innovation shaping the future of rail travel in the country.
Source: NHSRCL- Press Release | Featured Image Credit (representational): NHSRCL
