The construction work of first reinforced concrete (RC) track bed for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail corridor track system as used in Japanese Shinkansen, began in Surat. This is for the first time, the J-slab ballastless track system is being used in India.
The track system comprises of a pre-cast track slab over which fastening devices and rails are fitted. This slab rests on the RC track bed which has a thickness of approximately 300mm and constructed in-situ (at site) for individual up and down track lines on viaduct top. The width of RC track bed is 2420mm.
The RC anchors are provided to avoid any longitudinal and lateral restraint to the track slab. The RC anchor has a diameter of 520mm diameter and 260mm height. These are constructed at approximately 5 meter centre to centre. In reinforced concrete (RC) anchor, reference pin is installed for achieving desired alignment (both horizontal and vertical) suitable for train operation at 320kmph.
The contracts for the track works in complete Gujarat portion have been awarded and presently, material procurement for track works is in advance stage. More than 14,000 MT of JIS rails, 50 number of moulds for casting track slabs have already been received from Japan.
Track slabs are to be manufactured in dedicated factories and two such factories have already been set up. These factories are equipped with the most sophisticated and state-of-the-art technologies and infrastructure to produce precise slabs for HSR track construction.
Special construction machineries which include rail feeder car, slab laying car and CAM (Cement Asphalt Mortar) laying car will be used for track works.
To understand the methodology of execution of work related to track laying, extensive training and certification for the Indian contractor’s personnel is being organized with Japan Railway Technical Services (JARTS) as Training & Certification agency.
