Ahmedabad, Gujarat, May 27, The track laying work on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor has gained momentum.
The installation of track slab and CAM (Cement Asphalt Mortar) filling have commenced on the viaduct at different locations in Gujarat.
Around 160 track km of track bed construction has been achieved so far in Gujarat. Around 39,500 track slabs have been cast, which are equivalent to nearly 197 track km.
Flash Butt Welding: The 25 m long 60 kg rails are welded using Flash butt welding machine (FBWM) to form 200 m long panels at the TCB (track construction base) over the viaduct. At present, four FBWM are functioning. More than 1543 rail panels (200 m long) have been welded i.e. more than 154 track km of rails.
The track installation process is mechanized with cutting edge machinery designed and manufactured in India. These Make in India fleet of track construction machinery includes:
Rail Feeder Car (RFC): 200 m long panels are loaded in RFC and laid over RC track bed. RFC will push the rail pair over the RC bed and temporary track will be laid initially on RC bed. At present, one RFC each at Surat and Anand district are functioning. As on date, nearly 78 track km of temporary track have been laid.
Track Slab Laying Car (SLC): Precast track slabs are lifted on to the viaduct, loaded on specially designed SLC and moved to the track laying location. By using SLC, which can pick 5 slabs at a time, track slabs are laid in position on the RC track bed. At present, one SLC each at Bilimora and Vadodara district are functioning.
Cement Asphalt Mortar Injection Car (CAM): After placement of track slabs on the RC bed, CAM car runs on the other track (i.e. on both UP and DN line temporary track at standard gauge is to be laid). This CAM car mixes the CAM ingredients in designed proportion and thereafter, CAM mix is injected under the slab (in special bags) to maintain the required line and level of the final track. At present, one CAM car each at Bilimora and Vadodara district are functioning.
