Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train: Advanced Track Slab Production Kicks Off In Surat
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project reached a key milestone on Saturday with the launch of its first track slab manufacturing factory in Surat, as per the Hindustan Times (HT) report.
This facility plays a vital role in laying tracks capable of supporting train speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour.
New Facility Planned In Maharashtra
To advance the project further, the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) plans to set up another track slab manufacturing factory in Maharashtra. This facility will cater to the section between Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Dahanu. Tenders for the project are set to be invited by February 2025, with contractors responsible for finalising the location.
Technology And Specifications
The Surat factory employs Japan’s Shinkansen technology to produce advanced ballastless track slabs. Each slab is made from reinforced concrete, measuring 2,200 millimetres in width, 4,900 millimetres in length, and 190 millimetres in thickness, with a weight of approximately 3.9 tonnes. These slabs are placed on a base of concrete and asphalt, with 60-kilogram rails fixed on top to ensure durability.
Spread over 19 acres, the factory has three dedicated bays equipped with 120 moulds, allowing multiple slabs to be produced at once. A steam curing process strengthens the slabs, which are then stored for 28 days before being sent to construction sites.
Current Progress And Support
So far, the Surat facility has produced 9,775 slabs. In addition, a similar facility in Anand has manufactured over 22,000 slabs, supporting track construction for 116 kilometres of the corridor. Combined, these factories have produced slabs for 110 track kilometres.
The Surat factory will handle slab production for the Gujarat and Daman-Diu sections, covering 237 kilometres, marking a crucial step in India’s first high-speed rail project. These developments bring the vision of the bullet train closer to reality.
