Railway Minister reveals video of ballastless track for bullet train: 'First time In India'
PTC News Desk: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw showcased India's pioneering ballastless track system designed for the high-speed bullet train project connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad. This marks the debut of the J-slab ballastless track system in India, emphasizing the country's technological advancement in railway infrastructure.
Vaishnaw, sharing the milestone on social media platform X, unveiled the video detailing the progress achieved for the Bullet Train project, which aims to breach the 320 kmph speed barrier. He highlighted that 295.5 km of piers and 153 km of viaducts have already been completed, signaling significant strides in the project's execution.
Bharat’s first ballastless track for #BulletTrain !
✅320 kmph speed threshold
✅153 km of viaduct completed
✅295.5 km of pier work completed
More to come in Modi 3.0 pic.twitter.com/YV6vP4tbXS — Ashwini Vaishnaw (मोदी का परिवार) (@AshwiniVaishnaw) March 28, 2024
The ballastless track, also known as 'slab track,' is gaining traction worldwide for high-speed railway lines due to its structural integrity and reduced maintenance requirements. In a first for India, the innovative J-slab track system features pre-cast track slabs meticulously outfitted with fastening devices and rails.
This track system is supported by a reinforced concrete (RC) track bed with a thickness of approximately 300mm, constructed on-site for individual up and down track lines on the viaduct top. With a width of 2420mm, the RC track bed ensures stability, as stated by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL).
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Vaishnaw emphasised the broader economic implications of the bullet train project, envisioning the integration of economies along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor. He highlighted the corridor's potential to unify economies, facilitating seamless travel between key cities and promoting economic activity.
Regarding funding, the estimated cost of the project stands at Rs1.08 lakh crore. The Central government has committed Rs 10,000 crore, while Gujarat and Maharashtra will contribute Rs 5,000 crore each. The remainder will be financed through a loan from Japan, featuring a minimal interest rate of 0.1 per cent.
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(Inputs from agencies)
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