National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has completed the launch of 13 heavy precast portal beams for the Ahmedabad section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor, supporting an 18 km viaduct that crosses several existing railway lines. The beams include five installed over the Mumbai-Ahmedabad main line at Maninagar, seven over the same main line at Vatva and one over the Ahmedabad-Delhi main line at Sabarmati. The work forms a key milestone in viaduct construction for the project.

The final precast-prestressed portal beam launched at Sabarmati weighed approximately 1,640 metric tonne (t) and was the heaviest among the 13 portal beams launched for the Ahmedabad section. The beam measured 34.5 metres in length and had a cross-section of 5.5 metres by 4.5 metres, making it one of the largest precast portal beams used in the MAHSR corridor. These dimensions reflect the scale of precasting and lifting operations for the project.

NHSRCL reported that the entire launching operation was completed in approximately three hours and was carried out using a 2,200 t crawler crane. It noted that despite restricted working space, the operation had been meticulously planned and executed under stringent safety protocols in close coordination with Indian Railways, ensuring safe and uninterrupted train operations throughout the lifting process. Careful scheduling and site management were highlighted as key to the successful lift.

The NHSRCL is developing the Ahmedabad bullet train station as a world-class multi-modal transport hub to enable easy interchange between metro trains, buses, taxis, autos and local transport and to ensure smooth traffic flow around the station. The station design is inspired by a kite and aims to integrate form with passenger circulation and local urban context.

The station will be equipped with modern passenger amenities including a waiting lounge, a nursery, restrooms and retail outlets, while multiple lifts and escalators will enable movement between levels and improve accessibility. Passenger guidance systems such as clear signage, information kiosks and public announcement systems will be installed to assist movement across the concourse, platforms and exit areas.