India's first RC track bed for high-speed rail takes shape

Construction has commenced on the first reinforced concrete (RC) track bed for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, inspired by the Japanese Shinkansen system, with Surat as its starting point. This marks the inaugural use of the J-slab ballastless track system in India.This advanced track system consists of pre-cast track slabs onto which fastening mechanisms and rails are affixed. These slabs are supported by an in-situ RC track bed, boasting a thickness of roughly 300 mm, specifically constructed for individual up and down track lines on the viaduct's summit. The RC track bed measures 2420 mm in width.To prevent any longitudinal or lateral constraints on the track slab, RC anchors are strategically placed at approximately 5-meter intervals. These RC anchors have a diameter of 520 mm and a height of 260 mm. They play a crucial role in ensuring the desired alignment, both horizontally and vertically, for safe train operations at speeds of up to 320 kmph.Contracts for the track works in the entire Gujarat section have already been awarded, and the procurement of materials for the track works is currently in an advanced stage. Japan has supplied more than 14,000 MT of JIS rails and 50 molds for casting track slabs.Dedicated factories have been established for the manufacturing of track slabs. These factories are equipped with cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure to produce precise slabs for high-speed rail track construction. Specialised construction machinery, including rail feeder cars, slab laying cars, and CAM (Cement Asphalt Mortar) laying cars, will be employed for the track works.To ensure the proper execution of track laying, comprehensive training and certification programs for the personnel of Indian contractors are being conducted in collaboration with Japan Railway Technical Services (JARTS) as the designated training and certification agency.