Bullet Train Project Installs Five Portal Beams Over Ahmedabad

08 May 2026 CW Team

The operation involved the installation of beams weighing between 1170 metric tonnes (t) and 1360 t, the heaviest being lifted on April eight and counted among the heaviest lifts carried out on operational railway tracks in the country. Work was carried out over the Ahmedabad-Vadodara 'Up', 'Down' and third lines and required meticulous planning and coordination with rail traffic control.

The alignment at Maninagar passes above existing railway tracks at a raised level with limited space and spans of approximately 30 to 34 metres between piers, necessitating the use of heavy portal beam structures. These portal beams are designed to provide a strong and rigid support to transfer loads across multiple tracks, ensuring minimal deflection and preserving precise track alignment for safe railway operations.

The launching was carried out using a 2200 t crawler crane, its first deployment on Indian railway tracks, and each beam was installed in approximately three point five hours, significantly reducing the time compared with earlier operations that required up to nine-hour blocks. Despite constraints such as restricted working space, overhead electrification and ongoing train movement, the installation was completed with continuous monitoring and safety checks and adherence to safety protocols.

Each portal beam is a precast concrete structure measuring 34 metres long with a cross section of five point five metres by four point five metres and is installed as an integrated unit to support elevated infrastructure over railway lines. The use of precast prestressed elements allowed controlled factory conditions to ensure quality and consistency while reducing time at site and exposure to operational risks. Project authorities said the successful sequence of lifts will inform similar operations on future sections of the corridor.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project has completed the installation of five heavy portal beams over active Indian Railways tracks at Maninagar in Ahmedabad within 22 days, marking a key engineering milestone. The precast prestressed portal beams were launched over the Ahmedabad-Vadodara railway line in a phased manner on April eight, 13, 19, 24 and 29, 2026, in close coordination with Indian Railways. The operation involved the installation of beams weighing between 1170 metric tonnes (t) and 1360 t, the heaviest being lifted on April eight and counted among the heaviest lifts carried out on operational railway tracks in the country. Work was carried out over the Ahmedabad-Vadodara 'Up', 'Down' and third lines and required meticulous planning and coordination with rail traffic control. The alignment at Maninagar passes above existing railway tracks at a raised level with limited space and spans of approximately 30 to 34 metres between piers, necessitating the use of heavy portal beam structures. These portal beams are designed to provide a strong and rigid support to transfer loads across multiple tracks, ensuring minimal deflection and preserving precise track alignment for safe railway operations. The launching was carried out using a 2200 t crawler crane, its first deployment on Indian railway tracks, and each beam was installed in approximately three point five hours, significantly reducing the time compared with earlier operations that required up to nine-hour blocks. Despite constraints such as restricted working space, overhead electrification and ongoing train movement, the installation was completed with continuous monitoring and safety checks and adherence to safety protocols. Each portal beam is a precast concrete structure measuring 34 metres long with a cross section of five point five metres by four point five metres and is installed as an integrated unit to support elevated infrastructure over railway lines. The use of precast prestressed elements allowed controlled factory conditions to ensure quality and consistency while reducing time at site and exposure to operational risks. Project authorities said the successful sequence of lifts will inform similar operations on future sections of the corridor.

Resources

10 Jun 2026

Modis Navnirman Appointed For Neel Kiran CHSL Redevelopment

Modis Navnirman (MNL) has been appointed as the developer for the redevelopment of Neel Kiran Co-operative Housing Society Ltd in Khar West, Mumbai, following a selection process in which members chose MNL as their preferred partner. The appointment will add approximately Rs two point five billion (Rs two point five bn) to the company's Gross Development Value pipeline and strengthen its focus on redevelopment and urban renewal projects across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The project site is a landmark residential society in Khar West, and the selection reflects members' preference for a pa..

Infrastructure Energy

10 Jun 2026

Diamond Power Commissions Eighth MV and EHV Cable Line

Diamond Power Infrastructure (DPIL) has commissioned its eighth Medium Voltage (MV) and Extra High Voltage (EHV) power cable production line at its manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. The new line enhances the company's manufacturing capacity in the technologically advanced MV and EHV underground power cable segment. This segment supplies cables for power transmission networks, power generation projects and renewable energy evacuation systems. The development is presented as a step to meet evolving infrastructure needs. The MV and EHV cables produced at the Vadodara facility serve urb..

Infrastructure Urban

10 Jun 2026

Varroc And TOLYY Partner To Localise Digital Cockpit Supply

Varroc Engineering Limited has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with TOLYY Optronics Co., Ltd (TOLYY) to localise and supply next-generation digital cockpit solutions for passenger and commercial vehicle platforms. TOLYY will supply integrated display modules including display panels, backlight units, touch interfaces, enclosures and electronic control units, and will also provide screen-only units for local final assembly in India. Varroc will manage integration, validation and manufacturing of the display solutions for targeted vehicle applications. The collaboration pairs TOLYY's di..