Ahmedabad, April 8 (NationPress) The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train initiative achieved a significant engineering feat on Wednesday, marking the successful deployment of one of its heaviest precast-prestressed portal beams along the Ahmedabad-Vadodara railway line in the Maninagar locality, according to officials.

The portal beam, a robust precast concrete structure, weighs approximately 1,360 metric tonnes and spans 34 metres in length, featuring a cross-section of 5.5 metres by 4.5 metres.

Officials have indicated that a total of five such beams are slated for installation close to the Maninagar railway station.

Each beam is produced on-site in precast form and installed as a unified heavy unit.

"The entire launching process was accomplished in an impressively brief timeframe of about 3.5 hours while adhering to stringent safety protocols," an official statement disclosed.

This operation was executed during a complete traffic and power shutdown, meticulously coordinated with the Indian Railways.

Previously, a lengthy caution order of around six months and a block of nearly nine hours had been arranged for the same task.

"Through diligent planning and optimization, this duration was condensed to merely 3.5 hours for both lines of the Ahmedabad-Vadodara section," the statement further explained.

The lifting operation utilized a 2,200-metric tonne capacity crawler crane, with the support of a 260-tonne standby crane, an 80-tonne crane, man-lifters, and a lifter beam system equipped with anchoring frames.

The setup comprised 75 mm diameter prestressed macalloy bars, lifting beams, and heavy-duty slings to effectively handle the substantial load.

Officials acknowledged the engineering hurdles faced, stating: "This operation poses several engineering complexities, including managing an ultra-heavy lift of nearly 1,360 metric tonnes—one of the heaviest lifts ever conducted on Indian railway infrastructure—and the necessity to complete the entire erection within a tight timeframe."

Further complications arose from the constrained working area, overhead machinery, and multiple active railway lines, requiring precise installation at a height of approximately 15 metres.

Officials emphasized the significance of real-time collaboration with railway personnel, the provision of backup lifting systems, rigorous rigging oversight, constant monitoring of wind speeds due to the large surface area of the beam, and precise survey and alignment control to guarantee safe and accurate installation.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, officially referred to as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Corridor, is a 508-kilometre high-speed route linking Mumbai in Maharashtra to Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

Implemented by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) with technical and financial backing from Japan, the project is designed for trains to operate at speeds reaching up to 320 km/h.

A total of twelve stations are proposed along the corridor.

Authorities have reported notable progress along the alignment, including pier construction, girder casting, and completion of viaducts.

The project aims to initiate phased operations in 2027, with full completion expected around 2028.