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New Delhi, August 25 (IANS). India's first bullet train project is now rapidly taking shape. While sharing a glimpse of the ongoing construction work in Maharashtra's Thane and Palghar districts, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Tuesday said that work on the country's ambitious high-speed rail project is going on at a fast pace.

Through a video message shared on social media platform Instagram, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that this construction work is part of the 135.45 km long elevated corridor stretching from Shilphata in Thane district to Jaroli village on the Maharashtra-Gujarat border.

This section is an important part of the Bullet Train project, which will provide India's first high-speed rail network connecting diverse geographical conditions and natural areas. Under the project, a total of 124.027 km long viaducts and bridges are being constructed, which will enable uninterrupted and high-speed operation of trains.

Under the project, three modern elevated bullet train stations are being constructed in Maharashtra at Thane, Virar and Boisar. Among these, Thane station has been designed with a special environmental approach.

According to the Railway Ministry, the concourse level of Thane station is being built approximately 12 meters above the natural ground level so that the sensitive mangrove forests of the area are protected and there is minimal impact on the environment.

The Union Minister said that significant progress has been made in the construction work of the project. Pier construction work is going on for more than 100 km length and piers have been completed in about 74 km area, where viaduct girders are now being installed.

To speed up the construction work, 9 casting yards, 7 full-span launching gantries and 8 span-by-span launching gantries are actively working in Maharashtra. Efforts are being made to complete the project within the stipulated time frame by using modern engineering techniques.

A total of 7 mountain tunnels are being built on the bullet train route, out of which breakthrough (the work of connecting both ends) has been completed in 3 tunnels.

Now important works like drainage, waterproofing and tunnel lining are progressing rapidly in these tunnels.

According to the government, the project is one of the most complex and advanced engineering projects in Indian Railways history.

Several important river bridges are also being constructed in this high-speed rail corridor, including a 460 meter long bridge on Ulhas River, 2.32 kilometer long bridge on Vaitarna River and 510 meter long bridge on Jagani River.

Additionally, a total of 36 bridges and crossings are being built in the project, including 12 steel bridges, which will cross major railway lines, Ulhas River, Mumbai-Nashik Highway and other important routes.

According to the Railway Ministry, the ongoing construction work in Thane and Palghar reflects the scale and engineering capability of India's first bullet train project. Under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a developed and modern India and the leadership of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, the next generation railway infrastructure is expanding rapidly in the country.

After the completion of Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project, India will join the ranks of select countries where state-of-the-art high-speed rail network will be available. This project will not only reduce travel time, but will also provide a new impetus to economic activities, investment and regional development.

–IANS

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