The first reinforced concrete (RC) track bed for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project has started to be constructed in Surat, marking a crucial step towards high-speed rail connectivity within India. The statement, which came from Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, marked an important turning point in the complex project.
The famed Japanese Shinkansen bullet train technology is used as the track network for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train. According to the Ministry of Railways, this project represents the introduction of J-slab ballastless track technology in India.
The purchase of supplies for the rail works is right now at an advanced level, and agreements have already been made for the rail construction involving the entire Gujarat segment of the project.
JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) rails in significant quantities—more than 14,000 metric tonnes—as well as 50 moulds for casting rail slabs—have been imported from Japan.
“RC anchors, made mainly for high-speed travel at 320 kilo metres per hour (mph), are used to keep up the bullet train track. These anchors are thoughtfully positioned at intervals of around five metres to avoid any lateral or longitudinal restrictions on the rail slab. According to NHSRCL’s spokeswoman, “the RC anchor, which has dimensions of 520 mm in diameter and 260 mm in height, makes sure the appropriate synchronisation for train operation at 320 mph”.
The track system is made out of pre-cast rail slabs that have fastening mechanisms and rails attached to them. These slabs, which have a thickness of around 300 mm and were built onsite for separate “up” and “down” rail lines on a viaduct top, rest on the RC track bed. The RC track bed has a 2,420 mm width.
In order to guarantee accuracy in the construction of high-speed rail tracks, specialised facilities for the production of track slabs have been constructed.
The installation of specialised construction equipment, such as the rail feeder car, slab laying car, and cement asphalt mortar (CAM) laying car, is required for the track work.
To ensure the effective execution of track laying, extensive training and certification programmes are being organised for the staff of Indian contractors in cooperation with the Japan Railway Technical Services (ARTS). By August 2026, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Bullet Train is expected to be in operation, revolutionising transportation between the two main cities. The 508-kilometre journey, which usually takes eight to nine hours, will be finished in roughly three hours with an estimated maximum speed of 320 kmph.
With the promise of providing millions of commuters and travellers with faster, more effective, and contemporary train transport, this project represents a significant advancement in India’s high-speed rail goals.
The track-laying construction for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad rapid transportation network has started in Surat, which is a major accomplishment. This project is notable for being the first to employ the J-slab ballastless track technology, which was inspired by the Japanese Shinkansen, on Indian land.
Extensive training and certification programmes are being run for Indian contractor staff to help ensure the perfect execution of track work. As the training and certification organisation, Japan Railway Technical Services (JARTS) is playing a crucial role by imparting its knowledge to the Indian workforce.