Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project: Narmada Bridge Construction Advances Despite Challenges
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/26th August 2024
The construction of the Narmada River bridge, a key component of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, is progressing swiftly. This vital infrastructure piece is set to be a standout feature in the high-speed rail corridor, with 19 of the 25 well foundations already completed and the erection of the bridge’s superstructure underway. Spanning 1.4 kilometers, this bridge will be the longest river bridge in the Gujarat segment of the project, located between Surat and Bharuch stations.
The bridge’s design is ambitious, featuring 24 spans and circular piers that reach heights of up to 18 meters. The project is a significant milestone for India’s first high-speed rail line and exemplifies the country’s growing infrastructural capabilities. The Narmada River, often referred to as the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, plays a crucial role in regional agriculture, drinking water supply, and hydropower generation. It also hosts the Sardar Sarovar Dam, the third-highest concrete dam in India, highlighting the river’s importance and the complexity of constructing a bridge over it.
The construction of the bridge involves 25 well foundations, with five reaching depths exceeding 70 meters and the deepest extending to an impressive 77.11 meters. To put this into perspective, four of these foundations will surpass the height of Delhi’s Qutub Minar, which stands at 72.5 meters. Well foundations are an age-old method for supporting large structures over wide rivers, providing crucial stability in the challenging and often unstable conditions of the Narmada’s riverbed.
Despite the progress, the construction has faced significant hurdles. The site encountered severe setbacks during the monsoon season and a subsequent flood in September 2023. The flood, caused by the release of approximately 18 lakh cusecs of water from the Sardar Sarovar Dam, resulted in the damage of a temporary steel bridge, submergence of heavy-duty cranes, and disruptions in electrical connectivity. These conditions rendered parts of the construction site inaccessible and threatened to delay the project.
Nevertheless, the team from the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has worked tirelessly to overcome these challenges. Engineers managed to restore operations and address critical issues such as the ‘tilt’ and ‘shift’ of the wells, which were exacerbated by natural forces like tidal waves and high river flow. Using the Jack-Down method, the team successfully resolved these problems, ensuring the stability and alignment of the foundations.
Vivek Kumar Gupta, Managing Director of NHSRCL, praised the efforts of the engineering team, stating, “Our engineers are working tirelessly to ensure the successful completion of the bridge on the mighty Narmada River. This bridge is the longest river bridge within the Gujarat segment of the project. Despite the complex challenges, our dedicated team continues to push forward with precision and determination.”
This Narmada River bridge is one of the 24 river bridges planned for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor, with 20 located in Gujarat and four in Maharashtra. As construction progresses, the bridge will stand as a testament to India’s ambitious transportation infrastructure, linking two major cities with a cutting-edge bullet train system.
