Bullet train to install 28 seismometers for quake alerts

The National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) announced that they would be installing twenty-eight seismometers for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad 'bullet train' corridor. In a statement released that day, the NHSRCL mentioned that an 'Early Earthquake Detection System,' based on Japanese Shinkansen technology, would be put in place to guarantee the safety of passengers and critical infrastructure. The NHSRCL explained that out of the 28 seismometers, 22 would be placed along the alignment. Among these, eight would be positioned in Mumbai, Thane, Virar, and Boisar in Maharashtra, while the remaining 14 would be in Gujarat's Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Mahembadad, and Ahmedabad. The release further conveyed that the remaining six seismometers, labeled as inland seismometers, would be installed in earthquake-prone areas such as Khed, Ratnagiri, Latur, and Pangri in Maharashtra, as well as Adesar and Old Bhuj in Gujarat. It was informed in the release that the seismometers would be placed in traction sub-stations and switching posts along the alignment. These devices would detect earthquake-induced tremors through primary waves, triggering an automatic power shutdown. As per the release, emergency brakes would be activated when the power shutdown is detected, causing trains in the affected area to come to a halt, stated the NHSRCL. The release also noted that Japanese experts had conducted a survey of areas along the high-speed corridor where earthquakes of magnitude greater than 5.5 had occurred in the past 100 years.