Track laying starts on Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR Corridor

04 Sep 2023 CW Team

Construction has commenced on the first reinforced concrete (RC) track bed for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, utilizing the Japanese Shinkansen-inspired J-slab ballastless track system. This marks the first time utilisation of this track system in India.

The J-slab system consists of pre-cast track slabs on which fastening devices and rails are mounted. These slabs are supported by the RC track bed, with an approximate thickness of 300mm, constructed in situ for individual up and down track lines on the viaduct top. The RC track bed measures 2420mm in width.

RC anchors are integrated to prevent any longitudinal and lateral restraint to the track slab. These RC anchors, with a diameter of 520mm and a height of 260mm, are spaced at approximately 5-meter intervals. They facilitate achieving the desired alignment, both horizontally and vertically, suitable for train operations at speeds of up to 320kmph.

Contracts for track works in the entire Gujarat portion of the corridor have been awarded, with material procurement at an advanced stage. Over 14,000 MT of JIS rails and 50 molds for casting track slabs have been received from Japan. Dedicated factories have been established to manufacture the track slabs, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure for precise slab production.

Specialized construction machinery, including rail feeder cars, slab laying cars, and CAM (Cement Asphalt Mortar) laying cars, will be employed for track works. To ensure proper execution, extensive training and certification for Indian contractor personnel are being organized in collaboration with Japan Railway Technical Services (JARTS) as the Training and Certification agency.

Infrastructure Urban

08 Oct 2025

Rajasthan Adds 135 New Buses To Strengthen Public Transport

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Sunday flagged off a new fleet of Rajasthan Roadways buses from Amar Jawan Jyoti, marking a significant step towards modernising the state’s public transport network. The Chief Minister inaugurated 128 Blue Line buses and seven rural buses, designed to enhance connectivity and improve travel comfort across the state.The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Premchand Bairwa and Member of Parliament Manju Sharma. The new fleet complies with the latest emission standards and incorporates modern technology to ensure efficiency and environme..

Patna Joins India’s Metro Map With Blue Line Launch

Patna, the capital of Bihar, officially joined India’s growing list of metro cities as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the first phase of the Patna Metro Rail on Monday. The inaugural section of the Blue Line runs from the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) to Bhoothnath, covering three key stations — Patliputra ISBT, Zero Mile, and Bhoothnath.The inaugural ceremony was held at the Patliputra Bus Depot, attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. Passenger services are set to commence from Tuesday.For now, commuters will be able to travel along a 4.3-kil..

Kochi Water Metro To Launch Mattancherry Route By Mid-October

The Kochi Water Metro is set to commence ferry operations between the city and Mattancherry by mid-October, offering much-needed relief to commuters long troubled by traffic bottlenecks along narrow city roads and bridges.The new route, extending from the High Court terminal, follows Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML)’s preparation to commission the long-awaited ferry terminals at Mattancherry and Willingdon Island, both key nodes in the city’s water transport network.According to KWML Chief Operating Officer Sajan John, the Mattancherry terminal will feature floating pontoons capable of ber..