Surat Initiates Construction of Ballastless Track for First Bullet Train

A milestone has been achieved in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project as the construction of its innovative ballastless track has commenced in Surat. This is a ground-breaking development, highlighting the adoption of the J-slab ballastless track system—a technology widely used in Japan’s Shinkansen high-speed rail network.

The ballastless track system incorporates a bed made of reinforced concrete (RC). The construction of the RC bed for this track system has commenced in Surat. The unique system comprises pre-cast track slabs upon which fastening devices and rails are securely fitted. Once fully operational, the bullet train is poised to achieve impressive speeds of up to 350 km per hour.

The track slab, an integral component of the system, rests atop the RC track bed, which boasts a thickness of approximately 300 mm and a width of 2,420 mm. These track beds are constructed in-situ, ensuring the alignment necessary for smooth train operations. The project has incorporated RC anchors, providing essential longitudinal and lateral restraint to the track slab. These anchors include reference pins that play a pivotal role in achieving the desired alignment, both horizontally and vertically, ensuring the safety and efficiency of train operations at high speeds. The project is a monumental endeavour with an estimated cost of INR 1.08 lakh crore.